New Zealand Refutes Requirement for Israelis To Disclose Military Service on Entry

New Zealand's foreign minister dismissed Israeli media reports claiming the country requires Israeli visitors to disclose military service details. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) also denied barring Israelis from entry due to their military service in Gaza.

Reports Claim New Zealand Requires Israelis To Disclose Military Service for Entry

Renowned Israeli media outlets, including Haaretz and The Times of Israel, reported that New Zealand's immigration authorities had implemented rules requiring Israeli visa applicants to disclose their military background.

The Times of Israel reported that Israelis of reserve service age applying for tourist visas to New Zealand were asked to disclose whether they had served in the Israeli military and if they were active reservists.

Applicants who answered affirmatively had to complete detailed questionnaires about their military service.

The first questionnaire required applicants to provide information on their service dates, base locations, corps and unit assignments, military camps, rank, roles, and military ID numbers. Those unable to disclose details due to security concerns were still required to complete the form, preventing them from finishing the application and obtaining a visa.

The Times of Israel reported that at least one soldier who served in Gaza during the Israeli war on Gaza claimed he was denied entry to New Zealand due to his responses on the questionnaire.

Other prominent outlets, such as Middle East Eye and Middle East Monitor, echoed these reports on January 28, 2025.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Refutes Israeli Reports

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters dismissed the Haaretz report as “fake news” and demanded its correction. “This Haaretz story is fake news, Senator Ted Cruz. We are demanding it be corrected,” he wrote on Saturday.

Peters clarified that Israelis do not need visitor visas to travel to New Zealand, let alone disclose their military service.

He said, “[Israelis] do not need visitor visas to travel to New Zealand, let alone have to declare their military service.”

Addressing reports of activists launching a “genocide hotline” to track Israeli soldiers vacationing in the country, he condemned the initiative as “dangerous” and reaffirmed that Israelis are welcome in New Zealand.

New Zealand Denies New Visa Restrictions on IOF Soldiers

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) said in a statement that the country has not implemented new visa policies targeting IOF soldiers or reservists, rejecting Israeli media reports that Israelis were denied entry due to their military service in Gaza.

INZ clarified that while visa applicants must meet immigration criteria, military service alone is not grounds for rejection. The agency assesses multiple factors, including character, medical history, financial status, and previous travel records.

“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,” the INZ's statement reads.

Activists Launch ‘Genocide Hotline’ to Track Israeli Soldiers in New Zealand

Activists in New Zealand launched a “genocide hotline” to track Israeli soldiers vacationing in the country.

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa announced the initiative, stating, “Israeli soldiers are holidaying in New Zealand. We need your help to track them down so we can let them know they are not welcome here.”

In a newsletter, the group urged the New Zealand government to revoke soldiers' visa-free entry, arguing that they visit the country for “rest and recreation” from the ongoing war in Gaza.

John Minto, the network’s national chairperson, said the initiative poses no harm.

“We've made it absolutely clear in everything we put out that this has nothing to do with the Jewish community. It's nothing to do with Israelis. It has to do with Israeli soldiers who are here on rest and recreation from a genocide in Gaza,” he said.

Meanwhile, international efforts to track Israeli soldiers accused of war crimes have intensified. The Brussels-based Hind Rajab Foundation identified and reported numerous soldiers to authorities in the countries where they are residing.

Last month, Israel evacuated a soldier from Sri Lanka moments before he was set to be summoned for an investigation into war crimes in Gaza. The foundation also pushed for the arrest of Israeli soldiers in countries like Italy and Brazil.

On January 3, Israeli reservist Yuval Vagdani fled from Brazil to Argentina after authorities launched an investigation. Similarly, on January 9, authorities submitted a case against Israeli soldier Boaz Ben David to a Swedish court, according to Anadolu Agency's report.

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