The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by the government of New Zealand to require Israeli nationals to disclose military service when applying for visas to the country.
New Zealand will now require Israelis applying for a visa to report details about their military service, and at least one person has reportedly been denied entry after doing so. One of the questionnaires asks applicants if they “used or promoted violence or human rights abuses to further their aims”. Another question probes if the applicant has “been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights abuses”.
SEE: New Zealand requires Israelis to disclose military service when applying for visas: Report
In a statement, CAIR said:
“We welcome this decision by the government of New Zealand and urge other nations worldwide to adopt similar measures. 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.”
CAIR also welcomed activists in New Zealand launching a “genocide hotline” to track Israeli soldiers holidaying in the country.
SEE: Activists launch ‘genocide hotline’ to track Israeli soldiers holidaying in New Zealand
Earlier this month, CAIR welcomed an order by a Brazilian judge for police to investigate a former Israeli soldier vacationing in the country for war crimes.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com