Foreign Minister Winston Peters has dismissed a recent report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, which claimed that Israelis must now detail their military service in order to obtain a visitor visa.
Peters called the report “fake news” and demanded a correction, stressing that Israeli citizens do not require visas to visit New Zealand under the existing visa waiver programme.
The original article, written by Haaretz journalist Rachel Fink, alleged that New Zealand’s Immigration Authority had introduced new measures requiring Israeli applicants to disclose extensive details about their Israel Defense Forces (IDF) service, including unit assignments, military ID numbers, and combat roles. The report also claimed that at least 37 Israeli visa applications had been declined since October 7, 2023, and referenced a controversial “genocide hotline” set up by a pro-Palestinian group in New Zealand.
However, Peters categorically denied these assertions, stating that “Israelis do not need visitor visas to travel to New Zealand, let alone have to declare their military service.” He also condemned the “genocide hotline” promoted by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA), calling it “dangerous, antisemitic nonsense.”
The Haaretz article sparked international reactions, including criticism from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, who accused New Zealand of “denigrating and punishing Israeli citizens for defending themselves.” Cruz further stated that New Zealand’s stance made it difficult to treat the country as a reliable ally within the American alliance system.
In response, Peters reiterated that New Zealand remains a close partner of both the United States and Israel, highlighting the country’s welcoming stance toward Israeli visitors. He also stressed that New Zealand’s Chief Human Rights Commissioner had denounced the PSNA hotline, which encourages New Zealanders to report IDF soldiers visiting the country, as a harmful and divisive initiative.
The controversy underscores growing tensions in New Zealand over the Israel-Gaza conflict, with Jewish organisations and political leaders condemning what they see as increasing antisemitism in the country. A recent report by the New Zealand Jewish Council noted a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since October 7, 2023.
This @haaretzcom story is fake news, Senator @TedCruz. We are demanding it be corrected.
Israelis do not need visitor visas to travel to New Zealand, let alone have to declare their military service.
And both New Zealand’s Chief Human Rights Commissioner and I – as Foreign… https://t.co/mhrx9pwHyw
— Winston Peters (@NewZealandMFA) February 1, 2025
This @haaretzcom story is fake news, Senator @TedCruz
. We are demanding it be corrected. Israelis do not need visitor visas to travel to New Zealand, let alone have to declare their military service.
Time for a change then Winnie!
The fact that Truth is antsemitic is entirely the fault of the genocidal state.
Agree 100%. This is yet another pro US govt, just like the last one.
They should require all of these things and the hot line reflects the horror many Palestinians have experienced directly or through family ties back home, at the hands of the Genocidal Israeli government. Glad I don’t vote for your anymore Winston and I can assure you, that will be the case in the future too.
There is only one thing more dangerous than being Americas enemy, its being Americas friend.