Personally I do not support vandalism or use of Nazi symbolism as a form of protest.I support of the Grant the Visas campaign to advocate to Government to rapidly facilitate the granting of visas to relatives of Palestinians living in Aotearoa/New Zealand. This is an urgent humanitarian issue and is the least that our Government can do.
However I want to distance myself from the individuals who spray painted on the Prime Minister’s office with the words ‘Grant the Visas’ – I do not support vandalism as a form of protest.
Even more abhorrent is the defacing of a picture of the Prime Minister with a mustache and hair in reference to Adolf Hitler.
There is always a risk that in supporting a cause that some individual or faction will behave or act in a way that is against my values and that may bring the cause into disrepute. This is one reason that makes me uncomfortable and keeps me from attending rallies supporting freedom for Palestinians. I fear someone more extreme being involved and by attending I can be accused of supporting those actions.
While there are a wide range of forms of legitimate protest, I strongly reject the use of vandalism and Nazi symbolism.
David Weinstein
Sh'ma Koleinu - Alternative Jewish Voices (NZ) 