Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Haka v. Hamas: Maoris Send Pro-Palestinian Rallies Packing


Jennifer Oliver O'Connell reporting for RedState 

Last week, Maori activists from New Zealand came to Brisbane, Australia to rally and stand with Israel. That in and of itself is noteworthy, but in the process of showing their solidarity, the Maoris also thwarted a pro-Palestinian rally. That's a definition of Win-Win if there ever was one. The Maoris performed a traditional Haka, a loud, raucous, and intimidating war dance that is meant to put fear in one's enemies, while also building the character of the warrior performing the dance. In terms of the horrors of the ongoing Israel-Hamas War, not to mention a lot of things happening in our world today, we could use both of these. 

Maoris in Wellington, New Zealand performed this indigenous dance in late October in solidarity with Israel after the October 7 blitz attack by Hamas. They did the same in Auckland, New Zealand last week.


Would you mess with them? I wouldn't. According to exclusive reporting by Rebel News, the planned Pro-Palestinian rallies in Auckland and in Brisbane suddenly decided to find someplace else to be. Like the cowards that they are.

In a surprising turn of events in Brisbane's King George Square, Destiny Church activists from New Zealand, led by Brian Tamaki, stood in solidarity with Israel after the shocking Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.

The pro-Israel demonstration, organised by the indigenous church, clashed with a scheduled anti-Israel rally, resulting in a unique situation.

Rebel News videographer Yemini did a fuller video exclusive (linked below) and he asked one Maori warrior why the pro-Palestine protesters decided to skedaddle.

Our people are known as warriors, and I think they know that we're not a bunch of pushovers. 

One of the best parts of the video is the "Man Up" shirts the Maori activists wore. Man Up translates in Maori to "Tu Tanga." These men and women did not come to play, as another warrior clearly outlined.

We're bible believing, Christian believing, Jesus believing, but we're not scared to go toe-to-toe either.

It would be a powerful thing if Americans, especially the Christian ones, made it a habit to do the same. While the humanitarian work that Christian organizations and churches are doing in the forefront and behind the scenes is wonderful and necessary, a visual representation of power, strength, and solidarity, like the November 14 March for Israel on the Washington Mall, could be a powerful and consistent tool to abate the Jew-hate and alleviate fears, especially on college campuses. 

I asked Maori community activists who passionately expressed their support for Israel, why they were siding with the Jewish community.

They asserted that Israel, as the indigenous people, had an inherent right to the land, challenging the popular narrative that Palestinians are the true indigenous inhabitants.

Maoris are an indigenous people of New Zealand. These original Polynesians have been in New Zealand since around 1200 A.D. and much of New Zealand culture and rituals started with them. Known as Tangata Whenua or “People of the Land,” Maoris well understand what it means to fight to maintain their place in their land.

The Maoris also spoke about the Biblical and prophetic significance of standing with Israel.

The Destiny Church activists emphasised [sic] their belief in the biblical connection to the Holy Land, stating that the Jews are God's chosen people. They pointed to historical roots and biblical references, rejecting the idea that Palestinians are the original inhabitants.

Many of the Maori warriors intelligently articulated why they Stand with Israel and will continue to do so. As a man with a "Yeshua Israel Forever" face mask on said, "We Stand with the Jews—All Day."

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