Auckland Museum sorry for 'distress and hurt' after lighting up for Israel
Auckland Museum's chief executive said its approach "was wrong" after lighting up in the Israeli colours last night and apologises for "the distress and hurt caused to members of our community".
Pro-Palestinian supporters descended on Auckland Museum last night after the building was lit up, with video from the scene showing a large gathering of people waving Palestinian flags and honking car horns.
Police said they monitored the protest, with officers onsite from 6.30pm to 9pm, when supporters left.
There were no injuries or arrests.
In a statement this afternoon David Reeves said he acknowledged the depth of feeling around the lighting up of the museum building.
"We wanted this to be an expression of hope for peace — our approach was wrong, and I personally apologise for the distress and hurt caused to members of our community. I am carefully reviewing and reflecting on all of the feedback we have received. As a War Memorial Museum, we continue to hope for deeper understanding and a peaceful resolution to conflict."
Yesterday on social media the museum said: "Our thoughts go out to the many civilians impacted as a result of the terrorist attack in Israel a week ago today.
"As a war memorial, we value the importance of peaceful dialogue and understanding.
(Source: Instagram: Auckland Museum )
"We condemn all acts of violence and terrorism. This evening the Museum is lit in blue and white in condemnation and as an expression of hope for peace."
However, the original wording of the post was different.
"This evening, your Museum is lit in blue and white in solidarity with Israel.
"Our thoughts go out to the many civilians impacted as a result of the terrorist attack a week ago today."
An earlier post from the museum showed a different caption. (Source: Supplied)
Earlier today, Jewish community spokesperson Juliet Moses told 1News the museum's gesture was a "very nice and strong message of solidarity for the victims of the horrendous terrorist attacks on October 7".
"The museum has lit up before for other victims of terrorist attacks, there are some things that transcend politics or geopolitics," Moses said.
"I think the absolute savagery of these attacks that were unprecedented and indeed have given Jewish people their most deadly day since the Holocaust, I think this message deserved to be given dignity and Jewish people also given dignity and the time to mourn."
She said the reaction to the museum being lit up was "extremely disappointing", and said if the museum was to apologise it would feel like a betrayal.
John Minto of the Palestine Solidarity Movement Aotearoa said he was shocked by the museum lighting up. “We thought it was absolutely appalling.”
He said all killing of civilians and the taking of hostages should be condemned.
“One of the problems we have here is our government condemned the Hamas attack on Israel but it has not opened its mouth about the war crimes being committed now against the Palestinian people, that’s what enraged the Palestinian community."
It comes amid a rising death toll in Gaza, which is bracing for an Israeli invasion a week after Hamas militants launched a deadly assault.
More than 1 million Gaza residents have been ordered to move south by Israel.
The Gaza Health Minister said more than 2600 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 10,000 injured since fighting erupted.
More than 1400 Israelis were killed in the Hamas assault.
