The Human Rights Commission has received at least 100 complaints about the digital flyer being distributed by Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. Photo: Supplied / Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
A veteran activist has defended a hotline for New Zealanders to report Israeli soldiers holidaying in New Zealand.
The Human Rights Commission said it had received more than 100 complaints about a digital flyer promotion the hotline, distributed by the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. The Commission has called for an immediate halt of the hotline and said it sets a dangerous precedent.
It is calling for an immediate halt of the hotline.
But the network's national chairperson John Minto, told Morning Report, the government should focus on speaking out against Israel's actions in Gaza instead of condemning New Zealanders.
"Israeli soldiers are coming from Gaza to have rest and recreation here," he said.
"I've come across heaps of Israeli soldiers out backpacking."
When pressed on how he could tell a person was an Israeli soldier, Minto said "if you interacted with them you'd know where they're from."
Foreign minister Winston Peters told Morning Report, the hotline is a "hunt" that could lead to violence.
"You just heard from a long time judgemental, five-decade old protagonist ," Peters said of Minto.
"Everybody in the Israeli population has to serve male or female, whether they were in Gaza or not he doesn't know.
"I frankly don't know why we tolerate this person and his arrogant views."
Tourists came to New Zealand from all over the world, Peters said, and the same rules applied for everyone.
"We have sanctioned some Israeli people, but we haven't kicked out ordinary citizens in the haphazard way he [Minto], wants to do it."
Peters claimed the behaviour by the network could lead to violence against Jewish people, like what had been seen in Australia.
Jewish Council spokesperson Juliet Moses said the hotline was "vigilante justice" and crossed a line.
"My fear is that there will be violence ...it's targeting individuals based on their nationality.
"It's not up to John Minto to decide what we do. We don't take matters into our own hands here."
Minto said talking about the risk of vigilante justice was "all hot air".
He denied the hotline counted as racial profiling.
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