Israelis of reserve service age who applied for tourist visas to New Zealand have been asked to report whether they had served in the Israel Defense Forces — as almost all Israeli citizens are required to do — and whether they are active reservists. Those who answered affirmatively were required to complete detailed questionnaires about their military service.
In the first questionnaire, visa applicants were asked about the dates of their military service, the location of their bases, the corps and units in which they served, the military camps where they were stationed, their rank, details of their roles, and their military ID number.
In the second questionnaire, they were asked:
- "Have you been associated with any intelligence service or group, or law enforcement agency?"
- "Have you been associated with any group or organization that has used or promoted violence or human rights abuses to further their aims?"
- "Have you committed or been involved in war crimes, crimes against humanity, or human rights abuses?"
At least one soldier who served in Gaza during the ongoing war against Hamas has been denied entry to New Zealand. He said that this was a direct result of his answers to the questionnaire, while noting that he said he had not been involved in war crimes in Gaza.
Australia has been operating a similar policy, and at least two Israelis have been denied entry as a result.
New Zealand's Immigration Authority (INZ), reached for comment, did not deny the details of this report, but said that serving in the current war did not automatically disqualify Israelis from entering the country.
"INZ understands the difficult situation this crisis is causing for many and has great sympathy for those separated from their loved ones during this stressful time," the authority told The Times of Israel, in response to a query.
The response said:
"A visitor visa can be declined for a number of reasons, and it is difficult for us to comment on why a person's application was declined without the details of their application. Immigration instructions do not prevent individuals who have served in this conflict from applying for or being granted a visitor visa.The authority's response also noted the following statistics, relating to the period since October 7, 2023:
"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. Palestinian and Israeli nationals can apply for any visa category they meet the requirements for.
"We will continue to prioritize the processing of applications for people impacted by the conflict. However, all applicants must meet the relevant immigration requirements to be granted a visa. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis."
"As of 14 January 2025, we have received 944 applications from Israeli nationals across both temporary and residence visa applications. Of those received, 809 have been approved, 37 declined, 69 [are] in progress and the remainder have been withdrawn.An analysis of INZ statistical data indicates that the rejection rate for Israeli visa applications to New Zealand during the war has been approximately four percent. This is not unusually high compared to previous years or the rejection rates for citizens of other developed countries.
"During the same period, we saw 259 applications from Palestinian passport holders, of which 177 were approved, 53 declined, 21 are in progress and the remainder have been withdrawn."
About a month ago, Australia's Sky News revealed that Australia presents a similar questionnaire to Israelis applying for entry and has rejected applications from Israelis who served in Gaza and sought to visit a relative. Additionally, former justice minister Ayelet Shaked was denied entry to Australia in November 2024, reportedly because she might "incite discord."
Reader Comments
Truth is slapped out of them at a very young age, it's the ONLY thing that is foreign to them.
I'm just wondering why all of a sudden jew bashing is being reported as a good thing, two years ago NZ would have been anti-semites and trashed by MSM (jew owed) now it's OK? WTF? I know people kicked off of jewtube just for repeating something a jew said now this.
Surely to God Jacinda in the Box leaving for some cushy job was not the reason for the return to sanity and compassion, but it’s looking like a good start.
Toured both islands with the Mrs in 93, what a place👌☘️🇨🇦
Thou shall not kill is also on the list.
Thou shall not steal as well.
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Holy-Moly - evidence is in - they are betrayers of their own commandments - the evidence tis irrefutable - cause the commandments if from "God Almighty - the Creator" are applicable to all in all their interactions with everybody else - so there you have "it" - they must think they are exempt - oh how wrong they are....
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They are hypocrites to the extreme I reckon in the mind of their own God - and that God must be pissed at them....they shall reap what they sow.
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So - could be even if they are "lying bastards" they get "let in" and then if they run afoul of the folks living there - they get some of this sort of treatment......
[Link] - text only there - but let me find an example...
[Link] - this is getting closer....
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Oh man - I remember the videos when they were protesting - FIERCE - fierceness - I love it!
Yeah - why not let them in and then let them have it - let them get what they deserve.
😂😂😂☘️🇨🇦👍
It ought just be 3. You know.
Don't lie, don't kill, don't steal....
Simple - I would of negotiated better than Moses....