Israelis must disclose military service for New Zealand entry

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New Zealand has introduced a new immigration policy requiring Israeli visa applicants to reveal military service details, which has been well-received by pro-Palestine groups, the New Arab reported on January 29th.

According to the country’s immigration office, the new visa requirements aim to investigate potential involvement in human rights abuses, including war crimes, amidst the international scrutiny over Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Under the new guidelines, Israelis applying for visitor visas must answer questions related to their military service, such as whether they have “used or promoted violence or human rights abuses” or have been involved in “war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights violations.” They are also asked if they have connections with intelligence services or groups associated with violent activities.

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Israel is under investigation for potential genocide in Gaza by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for suspected war crimes.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations welcomed New Zealand’s decision, urging other nations to follow suit. In a statement, the council said: “The Israeli military has engaged in widespread crimes against humanity in Gaza, and nations should ensure they are not allowing war criminals to enter their borders.”

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Despite this, some pro-Palestine groups in New Zealand have expressed skepticism, arguing the new policy may not achieve meaningful changes.

The Palestine Network Aotearoa noted that soldiers would likely not provide incriminating answers, suggesting the measures are more symbolic than substantive.

Nevertheless, the rejection rate for Israeli visas has not significantly changed, remaining around 4%.

New Zealand’s Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa called for the suspension of visas for individuals who have served in the Israeli army since the Gaza conflict began on October 7th 2023.

John Minto, the national chair of New Zealand’s Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, said: “The government must also uphold the International Court of Justice Advisory opinion which calls on the government to end support for Israel’s illegal occupation.”

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Activists have initiated a “genocide hotline” campaign to monitor Israeli soldiers taking holidays, aiming to revoke visas for those linked to military service, particularly from illegal settlements within the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Palestine Network have claimed many soldiers boast about their military actions on social media.

In response, New Zealand Immigration (INZ) clarified that military service alone is not grounds for visa rejection, stating they prioritise applications from individuals affected by the Gaza war while ensuring consistent processing for all visa applications.

The New Arab

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