This is the petty Zionist smears the Israel Institute of NZ thinks is worth fighting
Dunedin bus safety campaign paused after complaints over student’s keffiyeh and necklace
A Dunedin bus safety campaign was paused after complaints that a poster featured a teenager wearing a keffiyeh and necklace.
The campaign was launched by the Otago Regional Council (ORC), along with the Dunedin Youth Council and Dunedin Students Council, in January after growing concerns about safety in the central city and bus hub.
It had been in development since Trinity College student Enere Taana-McLarenwas fatally stabbed at the bus hub last May.
A campaign poster with the slogan “We’re all in the same team”, which featured on social media and Dunedin bus services, showed a diverse group of students on a bus alongside Highlanders rugby player Jona Nareki.
But it was the inclusion of a student wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh – a traditional Middle Eastern headdress – and a necklace depicting the outline of disputed land that includes Israel and the Palestinian territories, that prompted complaints, including one from the Israel Institute of New Zealand (IINZ).
IINZ published its initial complaint to ORC on social media, claiming that the teenager’s attire conveyed a “clear political message which will alienate people who understand it”.
You have to feel for the Israel Institute of New Zealand (IINZ), it must be so hard pimping and cheerleading a Zionist regime accused of war crimes, genocide and is currently responsible for almost quarter of a million dead Palestinians.
Imagine how petty you have to be to attempt to claims a bus advert for tolerance was anti-semitic.
That is the only tool the Israel Institute of New Zealand has now, claiming everyone is anti-semitic.
While Israel cuts off aid to Gaza, with the annexation of the West Bank brewing, with almost quarter of a million Palestinians dead, the Israel Institute of New Zealand is focused on girls wearing a keffiyeh in an advert about tolerance on busses.
Thank god the Otago Regional Council told the Israel Institute of New Zealand to get lost…
ORC chief executive Richard Saunders defended the campaign, saying its focus was on tolerance, inclusivity and respect – and did not take a position on any political issue.
…we should never be intimidated by any organisation fronting for a regime currently under accusation for war crimes.
Increasingly having independent opinion in a mainstream media environment which mostly echo one another has become more important than ever, so if you value having an independent voice – please donate here.
‘We object to the Otago [Regional] Council including a message in their campaign that suggests Israel should not exist and that Jews have no right to self-determination in any part of their indigenous land,” he said.’
DAVID CUMIN CAN GET ALL THAT FROM A HEADSCARF AND A NECKLACE?!!
The man is a fucking genius!
They should have had someone in a T-Shirt with a Tibetan flag and a picture of the Dalai Lama as well. Add a Tino Rangatiratanga patch.
I knew it. The ban on gang patches is going to morph into banning anything that hints at dissent. The thin edge of the wedge is in.
I’m looking forward to the Free Speech Union defending the ad.
David Cumin seems to be an influential figure in the FSU as well as the so-called Israel Institute.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/dunedin-bus-safety-campaign-paused-after-complaints-over-students-keffiyeh-and-necklace/7IXYGCCPKNAKBAD72SQBUJ7OMM/
It is good this action has been exposed and common sense prevailed.. Normal Palestinians and non zealot Jews are the real victims.
I wear a keffiyeh on public transport all the time and I get nothing but positive feedback.
Love this
False accusations of anti-Semitism, if they are outrageous enough and frequent enough, might just be able to provoke the real thing – thereby justifying the original lie. Seems like that’s the strategy.
“Man Stomped in Octagon Attack”
https://www.odt.co.nz/
The article is “subscriber only”, but maybe someone can extract and show it.
A 23 year old white male was arrested and charged with assualt in relation to an incident where he shoved two people to the ground and stomped one of them. The victims were from a pro-Palestine group of 40 who were supporting the Palestinian teenager in the bus safety ad.
Zionism showing its true nature.
We are all ONE except if you are… or…or…or…or….or….or…or…or…or…or