Israeli visas: Immigration NZ denies report IDF soldier barred

Friday, 31 January 2025

Tens of thousands of Palestinians streamed into the most heavily destroyed part of the Gaza Strip on Monday as Israel lifted its closure of the north for the first time since the early weeks of the 15-month war with Hamas.

The Times of Israel has reported Israelis are being asked for details of their military service.

According to the publication, at least one person as been denied admission to New Zealand after providing their details.

Immigration New Zealand denies the reporting, saying the visitor was not denied entry due to military service.

Immigration New Zealand is denying barring an Israeli soldier from New Zealand over their military service, despite reporting to the contrary.

However, the department has been unable to say whether Israelis are being asked to provide details about their military service.

The developments come as police continue to probe threatening online activity linked to a ‘Genocide Hotline’, promoted by activist John Minto, to keep track of IDF soldiers visiting New Zealand.

Israeli soldiers during a ground operation in southern Lebanon.

The Times of Israel this week reported Israelis of reserve service age, who applied for New Zealand tourist visas, have been asked if they served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and whether they are active reservists.

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“Those who answered affirmatively were required to complete detailed questionnaires about their military service,” according to the publication.

At least one person has been denied admission to New Zealand after providing those details, The Times of Israel reported.

Stuff this week sent a list of questions to Immigration New Zealand (INZ), including whether Israelis are being asked to disclose service details when entering New Zealand.

While direct responses to each question were not provided, a general statement was released.

Immigration New Zealand says it has not enacted any new policies for the processing of visa applications from Israelis or Palistinians.

“The story referenced has incorrectly stated that INZ declined a visitor visa based on their military service,” INZ Visa Director Jack Gilroy said.

“INZ has not enacted any new policies for processing visitor visa applications from Israeli or Palestinian nationals.

“To be clear, military service is not grounds alone to decline visa applications.”

INZ has not provided a response to Stuff’s question about whether Israelis are being asked to disclose details of their military service.

“The declined visitor visa applications we have identified for Israeli nationals have been because the applicants did not demonstrate that they meet the standard requirements to show that they are genuine applicants, such as providing proof of ties to their home country, reasons for their stay, or evidence of their travel plans,” Gilroy said.

Immigration Minister Erica Stanford has expressed concern over a “Genocide Hotline” being pushed on social media.

“A visitor visa can be declined for several reasons, and it is difficult for us to comment on why a person’s application was declined without a privacy waiver from the individual.

“Immigration instructions do not prevent individuals who have served in this conflict from applying for or being granted a visitor visa.

“Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas started, INZ has put in place processes to ensure consistency and priority allocation for any applications received for people living in these locations.”

Stuff has also seen an email from Immigration Minister Erica Stanford’s office responding to the visa issue.

“I can assure you that there has been no change in New Zealand policy and a person serving in the IDF are not grounds to decline a request for a visa from an Israeli national,” the email stated.

“We have been advised by Immigration New Zealand that in the instance that has been cited in the article that the person’s visa application was not declined due to their service in the IDF but for other reasons.

“Immigration NZ has also contacted The Times of Israel requesting a correction to the story.”

In the email, Stanford’s office also expresses worry over a ‘Genocide Hotline’, started by Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA), that people could call if they came across IDF soldiers or Israeli reservists.

“Like you, the Minister is concerned about the recent instigation of a ‘hotlin’” to report Israelis who are just trying to holiday in New Zealand and she supports the comments by the Human Rights Commission that such an approach contributes to social division,” Stanford’s email stated.

Minto, PSNA’s chairman, previously told Stuff the group was “taking matters into our own hands” amid dissatisfaction with the New Zealand Government’s response. PSNA had earlier called on the Government to suspend visas for Israeli soldiers.

On Tuesday, New Zealand Jewish Council President Juliet Moses said the hotline “crosses a line”.

The hotline was “ incitement to violence” and “vigilante justice”, she added.

Police have confirmed to Stuff they are looking into threatening social media activity related to the hotline.