Refusing to serve patrons a breach of the Human Rights Act

Refusing to serve Israelis at two Invercargill businesses as a protest against Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip would clearly be a breach of the Human Rights Act.

This was according to Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres in a statement release today.

“Whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation in Palestine, it is simply against the law for providers of goods and services in New Zealand to discriminate in this way.” De Bres added.

Mr de Bres says there is active debate among New Zealanders about the situation in the Gaza Strip, with demonstrations and protests supporting both the Palestinians and the Israelis. “That is entirely within the law and the sign of a healthy democracy.”

It was important, however, that people respect the rights of others to hold a different opinion and not to discriminate against them on that basis. A frank and respectful exchange on the issue has, for example, been taking place on the Aotearoa Ethnic Network.

Mr de Bres commended the Peace Foundation and the United Nations Association of New Zealand for organising an interfaith prayer vigil for peace in Wellington last night.

The vigil was held at St Andrew’s on the Terrace at around 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm.

The organisers say the peace prayer vigil is a spiritual event. It provides an opportunity for people to appreciate and reflect on the universal call for peace in the different religious faiths.

It will not include discussion about, or the promotion of specific proposals or actions for peace in the Middle East or anywhere else. People are invited to appreciate and respect the air of peace at the event.

On the other hand, Israel Ambassador to New Zealand urged the Government to take action regarding the incident.

"This is anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment needs to be stopped," Australian-based ambassador Yuval Rotem said.

Rotem added he wanted the New Zealand government to ensure nothing similar happened again.