Op-Ed : NZ vs ISIS - “To be or not to be”

The decision to deploy troops in the fight against Isis reminds of these opening phrases of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. No politician, at least in New Zealand, would have liked to be in the shoes of Prime Minister John Key, where he had to make such a tough, tricky and controversial diplomatic decision that could have significant repercussions.

In fact I too, being a non-Muslim New Zealander, had this dilemma whether to express my opinion in writing on this subject or not.

There is no denying the fact that this decision, to deploy troops, will now raise New Zealand above its peaceful and non-aligned status, to a level where it could easily be detected by the barbaric radars of Isis and be the target of the ire of its sympathisers. This makes NZ more vulnerable and all of us here more insecure and unsafe.

The symbolic joining of the “Club” without any meaningful contributions has the potential of New Zealand being seen as “an enemy” by the radicals and lone wolves. These lone wolf’s or sympathisers, who earlier may have been thinking of travelling to middle east to join Isis, may now find it easier to fight ‘the new found enemy’ from here itself without having to go through the trouble of relocating to the war zone battlefield. They may see their extremist views being put to practice here against the “new enemy” as a contribution to ‘Jihad’ and cause of Isis.

Therefore, Prime Minister’s decision has the potential of going down in history as the ‘catalyst’ that transformed NZ soil, once for all, from a peaceful, calm and green place to the one drenched in blood, destructive commotion and constant fear. It has the potential of increased internal disturbances such as the Sydney café siege or other destructive explosions similar to the ones in other parts of the world.

If any such incidents were to happen here, it would result in heightened security, and as a collateral damage, further encroachment of the privacy rights of the peace loving New Zealand citizens. It would turn our NZ culture upside down. A new “VIP” culture would emerge with added expenditure of tax payer’s money on the security of “VIP’s”, including the politicians, making them further inaccessible.

The argument being contended by those in the favour of deployment is that being detected by the barbaric radars was only a matter of time anyway. Therefore, according to them, the joining of the “Club” could be beneficial in intelligence gathering, to nip the evil in the bud, if it was to conceptualize in NZ.

But surely, our intelligence agencies are well equipped to detect and nip such evil buds. Not sending the troops would have in no way diminished the ongoing relationships with the ‘Club’. The intelligence sharing, five eyes cooperation and trade relations would have continued with the so called “Club “or friends. Prime Minister has not given any convincing argument as to what could be the negative outcome if the symbolic troops are not sent.

With the decision having been already made, all we can do is hope for the best and pray that “God defend New Zealand”

By- Gurbrinder Aulakh, Barrister & Solicitor

Deputy Chair- Auckland Regional Migrant Services. Views expressed are his individual.

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