get real- how do we normal people recognize a Jew? A black hat, a outdated costume? Most Jewish tourists do not wear or wave religious objects in people's faces- . Today, when there are terrorist alerts everywhere- any weird behavior is suspicious. And let's face it- in a public place in a country about as far away from Israel as you can get- this WEIRD, inconsiderate, stupid and dangerous. He was lucky nobody started shooting at him. How exactly where the law enforcement people to know that this was just an overeager praying Jew? You guys might think this terribly funny- or anti-semitic- get real, get a life. You are NOT the only people on earth-. You ask the muslims to integrate and adjust- do I hear an echo here? This does not apply to you?

right Sarah, I get your point- you Jews are the only sane people on earth- as far as your hubby wrapping tefillin- does he do this in the subway? the ferry? in the middle of Times Square? I just bet he does. There is a place for any religious ceremony, it is either in a synagogue, a church whatever, or somewhere private... whoever needs an audience is an exhibitionist.... oh look I am a Jew... aren't I brave? You are so quick to accuse and ridicule- . A muslim kneeling down to pray does NOT need any' equipment'...you are wrong there.

I would love to see your security people's reaction in Israel if a foreign tourist started something you have never seen before at the airport or any public place- I bet the tourist would be lucky to get out of it alive. Most Jews have enough sense (as do other religious people of all religions) not to make a public spectacle of themselves when they pray- especially not in a public place in a foreign country.

A new fashionable style to put tefilin ? Or should we offer new glasses to this police officer..

is to notify the ferry operators of what he was about to do before starting to pray. That way it would have been no surprise to anyone. This is what I do everytime I travel abroad. We need to educate people not scare them.

When we fly, yes, he wraps tefillin on an airplane if need be. Do you have a problem with that? Moreover, he does not need to call attention to himself as you so crudely put -- "oh look I am a Jew." (What a remarkably stupid comment that was. Really quite tacky.) My husband wears a kipah. Anyone with half a brain knows that he is Jewish. Do you consider that being an exhibitionist, oh ignorant one? A Moslem kneeling down to pray does need a prayer rug. If he's a Shia, he needs a Turba to press his forehead against. You are wrong there. I bet you're wrong about a lot of things.

everybody in the world to know or care what tfillin is? What's with this stupid arrogance? On the other hand - tied to a leg? Wires sticking out? I guess World has no shortage of idiots on either side.

Please do not concern yourself about my education .I know enough not to panic which is more than can be said for New Zealanders .While they have their sheep ,they will never be cold and lonely at nightime..

"atheism". It is called "agnosticism". Atheism denies existence of supernatural or Divine out right, while agnosticism requires proof one way or the other.

Would love to see the reaction on ElAl when someone gets up and starts "Shlugin Kaporos" or "Klapping Hoshaanos". Seriously, I would assume the individual with the Tefilin found himself a corner on the ferry assuming he is not bothering anyone. Security issues was the furthest from his mind. Most religious Moslems woud find an inconspicuous corner, put down his mat, bend on his knees and pray. It rarely happens when he has no choice but to pray publicly assuming passerbyes would be considerate and simply walk around.

Really they can look scary to people unfamiliar with the ritual. There are boxes strapped to the guy and straps hanging. Better vigilant than sorry. Kudos to NZ for being proactive on security

Who the hell are you to decree when and when not a Jew can pray? How arrogant you are! Do we tell your Maori where and when to tattoo their faces? Why do they do it, anyway? Is it as a provocation intended to call attention to themselves? No, really? It isn't? Guess what, ace. Neither is wrapping tefillin.

occupier ...????!!! If they don't want Israelis and Jews in their country why don't they get a back bone and say it. How long have Jewish people been blowing themselves up in acts of terrorism and in what universe did they? Can't the ignorant occupiers of New Zealand even determine whats Jew and whats muslim??? They couldn't even save their trapped miner sons when the Chileans could, that says all we need know.

You say goyim are ignorant. You are right! The majority of the nations are ignorant of Torah Instructions! But, Whose fault is that? Who is it that supposed to be a "Light to the goyim?" Ignorance can be forgiven. Open disobedience to the Commandments of HaShem are a bit more dangerous don't you think?

The horns have been found. Look in the mirror. they are extending from your nefesh.

Worshiping G-D is a choice! G-D is so Wonderful, no one needs to be forced to worship Him! For anyone to attempt to do so is a huge sin. It is the most terrible insult and offense to G-D. Bible: Choose this day whom you will serve. G-D's requirement for ALL humanity is KINDNESS: Bible, Micah 6:8 And what does the L-RD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your G-D. G-D in His mercy, gave Laws to protect innocents! YOU SHALL NOT MURDER You shall not steal You shall not bear false witness (lie) G-D's love is eternal. Stronger than life and stronger than death. His love is amazing!

Sarah B., I take my proverbial hat off to you for your excellent responses to some of these Jew haters. I am a secular Jew but I firmly believe that everyone should have complete freedom to pray how and where and when they wish to do so as long as they are not disturbing others. As for the non-Jews who've expressed their rather unpleasant views here, let me say that the average Christian has absolutely no daily religious proactices at all, and if they don't go to church on a Sunday, well, they're left with Christmas and Easter. What would they know about daily Jewish religious practices? Nothing.And since I grew up in Britain among christians, and went to a non-Jewish school (there wasn't one in our city) and had many non-Jewish friends, I do know what I'm talking about. As for Maude's dissertation on ferry schedules - so what? In case you don't know, a religious Jew - as will a religious Muslim - prays at set times, which are determined by the sun and stars rather than by the clock. I'm sure this person did indeed try to find somewehre quiet where he could pray undisturbed and without disturbing others.

Thank you very much for your kind words. Isn't the ignorance of some people simply amazing?

but complain when you're stopped trying to travel with sealed boxes strapped to your body. What will you say if a terrorist disguised himself as a jewish religious nutcase complete with little black boxes?

Why would any kiwis know what ''tefillin'' is for God's sake! Give me a break! There's only about 5000 Jews in the whole of NZ . Also NZ is a very secular country- far more so than the USA and infinitely more so than Israel. Religious ''leaders'' are ignored by the media. Religion is excluded from the public education system. Jewish customs are of no more concern to kiwis than Hindu, Muslim , Buddhist or North American Indian customs. ( or even interdenominational Christian ones for any kiwis who are Christian)

Kiwis have hardly any experience of Jews. We're part of the South Pacific and asian region. Many kiwis have probably never heard of Judaism let alone tefillin. Jews are not at the centre of the universe.!! Get it? The idea that this incident was anything more than an innocent misunderstanding is ludicrous. The fact so many talkbackers here are using it as an excuse to insult kiwis, mock ancient Maori customs , insult dead NZ miners ( !!! wow thats low -even for you guys ) or complain about religious bigotry shows how seriously out of sympathy with the rest of the world you are.

I'm not even Jewish and I can't stand those so and so's. This, despite my Great grandfather being from that country. Darwin had it right with his description the people, both Native and White.

Either you actually believe the bollocks you have written, or you get some sort of perverted satisfaction from fantasising about the existence of such a state of affairs. Either way some form of medical intervention is indicated. For your information 99% of kiwis really don't give a rats arse about Israel one way or the other, any more than Israelis worry about NZs restricted access to EU agricultural markets. So a few activists in NZ protest now and again. Thats true in every country. NZs stance on Israel can be found on wikipedia and I'm sure its the same as America's. What is the point of posting such a nasty comment about the NZ mining disaster? You are one sick obnoxious puppy.

A provocation? An intentional case of causing trouble for publicity? What? Come on! The man was doing something entirely natural for his daily routine, and likely never encountered a silly and ignorant case of Jewish tefillin being mistaken for a bomb in his life. Last time I checked NZ *does* have a Jewish community, albeit not a large one. And it even made the news in the past year over the Kosher slaughter van issue. And I expect that people at least get some basic education about other religions? So, by and large, the Israeli man in question did absolutely nothing wrong - I've read other news reports in which your own police officials said that this was a case of not thinking the issue through before calling in a bomb alert.

Religion is evil and atheism is freedom and progress. Right. Tell that to all the people who died or lived under oppression during the past two centuries for purely secular and atheist causes. Face it. You're just projecting unto others what you believe yourself - that your way is inherently better and should reign supreme.

oh sweetie darling, save your indignation for the genuine antisemitism why doncha...>>this incident is funny - dont you have a sense of humour? Does the average Israeli have an extensive knowledge of Maori customs and rituals? The guy who mentioned ''shrunken heads'' was a few thousand nautical miles off course for starters

''Israelis should avoid such primitive countries as New Zealand''. Lawrence - Israelis like you are more welcome to avoid my primitive country than I could ever fully explain. You know what my worst nightmare would be? It would be to have all the Chinese and Pacific Islanders leave NZ and be replaced by Israelis like you and your obnoxious ilk