In a sudden and harrowing turn of events, fifty-four members of the New Zealand-based Connection City Church Assemblies of God found themselves caught in the crossfire of a surprise attack in Israel, launched by the Palestinian Islamist group, Hamas. The religious congregation, drawn to the Holy Land for a pilgrimage, became desperate to escape the violent upheaval as the echoes of rocket blasts vibrated through their transient residence.
Their plea for expedited extraction echoes the fear expressed by a distraught participant, Pesi Sikalu, who confessed that her sense of safety would only be restored once she set foot on New Zealand soil. As rockets reduced the Israeli airports to targeted debris, leading to the cancellation of flights, the group appealed to New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for emergency evacuation.
Although reduced to counting down the agonizing minutes in a turbulent war zone, the tourists maintain their collective resolve. Sikalu recalled the terrifying moments when air raid sirens forced them to seek immediate shelter. As foreign soil rattled with the impact of relentless bombardment, her group cowered in the relative safety of makeshift coverings, raw fear frosting their prayers for deliverance.
Sikalu painted a grim picture of desperation growing louder in the midst of relentless attacks, her group’s ordeal steadily amplified by the suffocating silence from their chosen carrier, Turkish Airlines. The group’s plea to New Zealand’s government has evolved into a chilling testament of unwillingness to be victims of the escalating war.
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed an active communication with New Zealand nationals registered on the SafeTravel website as being present in Israel. An updated travel advisory urges Kiwis to avoid non-essential travel to Israel, Gaza and the West bank—a grim testament to the escalating severity of the conflict. A pointed call for extra caution has been issued to New Zealand residents still in Israel.
Meanwhile, back home, the public mourns and prays. A candlelight vigil bathed Auckland’s Aotea Square in a soft glow, honouring the lives lost in the ongoing conflict. However, peace is elusive. Just as the people of Auckland mourn for the lives lost, unsettling scenes unfolded in Sydney—the steps of the revered Opera House marred by the ugliness of anti-Semitic chants.
As the Australian government joins global forces in condemning such actions, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Chris Hipkins, treads with circumspect and measured words. Offering a stance that signals support for a two-state solution over transient conflict analysis, Hipkin’s words are underscored by a palpable sense of bewilderment echoed by Christopher Luxon, leader of the National party.
As the echoes of mortal conflict disrupt the harmony of foreign soil, we are all reminded of the transcendent power of peace, and the innate human yearning for safety, dignity, and tolerance.
