One of the most controversial moments came from Aaron Hawkins, the former Mayor of Dunedin. Hawkins posted an image on X showing Free Palestine protestors waving Palestinian flags, captioned with the phrase "lest we forget." That phrase has been used for generations to honor ANZAC soldiers who fought and died for their countries. Seeing it slapped on a completely different political cause didn't sit well with many.
One of the most controversial moments came from Aaron Hawkins, the former Mayor of Dunedin. Hawkins posted an image on X showing Free Palestine protestors waving Palestinian flags, captioned with the phrase "lest we forget." That phrase has been used for generations to honor ANZAC soldiers who fought and died for their countries. Seeing it slapped on a completely different political cause didn't sit well with many.
One of the most controversial moments came from Aaron Hawkins, the former Mayor of Dunedin. Hawkins posted an image on X showing Free Palestine protestors waving Palestinian flags, captioned with the phrase "lest we forget." That phrase has been used for generations to honor ANZAC soldiers who fought and died for their countries. Seeing it slapped on a completely different political cause didn't sit well with many.
The backlash was instant. Hawkins’ X account was hammered by angry New Zealanders and Australians, furious that he would hijack such a sacred phrase. In typical fashion, Hawkins responded by locking his profile. His page now simply reads, "These posts are protected," basically running away from the shitstorm he stirred up.
Adding more fuel to the fire, Green Party MP Chlöe Swarbrick also couldn't resist dragging politics into the day. In a Facebook post meant to commemorate ANZAC Day, she finished with a call to "stand up for human rights and an end to war crimes committed against Palestinian civilians." While some applauded her for speaking out, a hell of a lot of others thought it was wildly inappropriate to wedge a modern political issue into a day meant for remembering our fallen soldiers.
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Critics are fuming, arguing that ANZAC Day should stay what it has always been - a day to honour those who served, not a bloody political football. Veterans' groups and community leaders have been warning for years that dragging politics into ANZAC Day disrespects the sacrifices made by past generations.
As we have seen again this year, anyone trying to hijack ANZAC Day for their own messaging is going to cop serious backlash. For most Aussies and Kiwis, ANZAC Day is sacred. It is not the time, or the f**king place, for political grandstanding.
Matua Kahurangi is just a bloke sharing thoughts on New Zealand and the world beyond. No fluff, just honest takes. He blogs on https://matuakahurangi.com/ where this article was sourced.
7 comments:
A disgusting day. World History is now being revised by the activist Moris and shown on TV
Different war but same sentiments, my Grandfather was one of the first in for WW1 and one of the last out having survived a fire in Arras, albeit badly burned. His Brother was not so lucky, a machine gunner, he was killed a year to the day before the Armistice. My Father was ex RN, present at Monte Bello when the first British A-Bomb was detonated and I served 23 years on the Royal Air Force where I was involved in 3 major conflicts. I know my forebears would have felt exactly the same as me about the high-jacking of Anzac Day by idiots who harbour stupid political motives that have nothing to do with upholding democracy.
I watched the ANZAC coverage on TV 1.
It has been totally hijacked by Maori.
I get where the writer is coming from, but we must acknowledge that ANZAC Day is political through and through. The tacit message is "we were right, ergo those we fought were wrong, and we remember those who died fighting for our right cause." That is a political statement through and through.
I'm not a leftist, nor am I particularly pro-Palestinian, but I recognise the atrocities the Israelis are committing in Gaza, as any reasonable person does - the difference is whether you support the atrocities or oppose them.
Perhaps that's the problem with this kind of reminder on ANZAC Day - the Government, on our behalf, more or less supports what Israel is doing, and it makes us uncomfortable to be reminded about our support on our "we were right"-themed ANZAC Day.
One line complaint to media minister Goldsmith - citing this reason. No reply but point made.
Madame Blavatsky
You fail to recognize the atrocities Hamas have been committing for decades hence you picked the wrong side. As for Anzac it's entirely your choice to see it as political. For most of us it's remembrance of sacrifices made to ensure we live a free country today
All wars are bankers’ wars. War is privatizing the profit and socializing costs. (in blood and money).
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