NZ PM Ardern Must Condemn Mosque Leader Who Blamed Israel For Christchurch Attack

Anti-Semitism has reared its ugly head in New Zealand.

At an anti-racism rally in Auckland over the weekend, Ahmed Bhamji, chairman of the Mt Roskill Masjid E Umar - claimed Israel's Mossad was behind the terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch earlier this month.

"I really want to say one thing today. Do you think this guy was alone... I want to ask you - where did he get the funding from?" asked Bhamji, "I stand here and I say I have a very very strong suspicion that there's some group behind him and I am not afraid to say I feel Mossad is behind this."

A person at the rally shouted, "It's the truth. Israel is behind this. That's right!"

After the video was revealed, Bhamji showed no contrition. "Mossad is up to all these things," Bhamji said. "When I talk about Mossad, why should the Jews be upset about it? Give me an answer?"

Well, I'll give you answer Mr. Bhamji. When you say Mossad, you mean Jews.

Bhamji is willfully promoting hatred against Jews instead of placing responsibility where it belongs.

The question is what will New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have to say about it.

Ardern has won rave reviews all over the world for her support of the country's Muslim community in their hour of need. But will she also send a clear message against anti-Semitism?

After all, Bhamji is no fringe figure. On its Facebook page, Mt Roskill Masjid proclaims itself to be the "busiest and biggest masjid in New Zealand."

It would show leadership if Ardern took Bhamji to task for his remarks and unambiguously condemned anti-Semitism. But I have a bad feeling that New Zealand's Left will be much like our own. Oh, Democrats will condemn anti-Semitism, but not Muslim anti-Semitism as we saw with Ilhan Omar this month.

Of course, it could be worse than that. Ardern might not say anything at all for fear of offending the Muslim community. Not all Muslims are anti-Semitic, but given that one of New Zealand's most prominent Muslims is then he can hardly be alone in his attitudes.

The ball is now in Ardern's court.