What It Is About
Candace Owens, a U.S. conservative political commentator, was denied entrance into New Zealand for a scheduled speaking engagement. This decision follows her rejection by Australia based on Owens’ controversial remarks regarding Nazi medical experimentation during World War II, which led to her being barred from Australia.
Why It Matters
The refusal serves as a critical stance against the spread of misinformation and minimizes distortion of historical events such as the Holocaust—a painful period for Jews and a seminal part of Jewish history and memory. New Zealand’s stance aligns with international sensitivity towards ensuring respect and accuracy in recounting the experiences of Holocaust survivors.
The Details
Owens was slated for a speaking tour in several Australian cities and Auckland, New Zealand in early 2024, promoting her views on free speech and Christian faith. Despite the visa refusals, event tickets remain on sale without updated remarks about her barred entry.
Authorities in both countries have expressed concerns regarding Owens’ potential to bring discord. Particularly in Australia, her remarks were widely criticized by Jewish communities who asserted that utterances downplaying Nazis’ horrific acts contradicted factual history, stirring unwanted sentiments and threatening cohesiveness.
The Bigger Picture
The incident underscores the broader global commitment among nations like Australia and New Zealand to combat antisemitism and protect communal harmony. Importantly, it highlights solid support and the moral responsibility to uphold integrity in memorializing the Jewish people and other victims of Nazi atrocities by combatting prejudiced discourse.
This story was first published on timesofisrael.com.