Samoa’s PM apologizes for 2007 Nazi salute after video resurfaces

KUALA LUMPUR, 6 OCTOBER 2026 —

Samoa’s Prime Minister Apologises After 2007 Nazi Salute Video Resurfaces, Sparking Regional and Diplomatic Reckoning

The apology, posted on Schmidt’s Facebook page, marked a sharp turn for a leader who has positioned Samoa as a staunch ally of Israel—wearing a Jewish prayer shawl during his swearing-in ceremony in September 2025 and pledging to open an embassy in Jerusalem by the end of 2026.

Schmidt’s statement rejected Nazism, antisemitism, and racism in all forms, calling the 2007 incident "inappropriate and capable of causing offence and hurt." He insisted the gesture, made at a private family reunion on the island of Savai‘i, was not reflective of his personal beliefs or Samoa’s government values. "I consider the controversy addressed," he added, signaling an attempt to move past the issue amid mounting criticism.

The video, independently verified by Radio New Zealand, shows Schmidt—then deputy speaker of parliament—holding a microphone as he instructs about a dozen attendees to raise their right hands and repeat "Heil Hitler" after a playful "hip hip" exchange. A family member quoted by the Samoa Observer confirmed Schmidt was the master of ceremonies at the gathering.

The clip’s re-emergence has drawn sharp reactions from academics, with Richard Evans, a historian of Nazi Germany, calling it "shocking and disturbing," while Anne-Marie Brady, a University of Canterbury academic, urged Schmidt to explain and apologise. The timing of the controversy is particularly sensitive, coming just two days after Schmidt’s government barred the Samoa Observer—which first broke the story—from attending press conferences, citing "unfair coverage."

Schmidt’s political trajectory has been marked by bold stances on international relations. Since taking office in September 2025 following a snap election triggered by his predecessor’s failure to pass the national budget, he has framed Samoa’s alignment with Israel as a matter of principle.

During his swearing-in, a shofar was sounded, and he declared, "Samoa stands with Israel… There is only one God our country believes in, the God of Israel." His pledge to establish a Samoan embassy in Jerusalem—a move supported by only a handful of nations due to the city’s disputed status—further underscores his pro-Israel stance.

Yet the Nazi salute video now forces a reckoning with his public image, particularly as Samoa grapples with its own colonial history. The Pacific nation was a German colony in the early 20th century before control passed to New Zealand in 1914, and it gained independence in 1962.

The fallout extends beyond domestic politics. Schmidt’s apology, while swift, has done little to quell criticism from regional observers who question how such a gesture could occur in a leader now championing democratic and religious values. The Samoa Observer’s reporting on the video came after Schmidt’s government had already restricted its access to official events, raising concerns about press freedom in the country.

Schmidt’s statement dismissed the incident as a private misstep, but the damage to his credibility—both locally and internationally—remains significant. With Samoa’s economy still recovering from the pandemic and regional tensions over geopolitical alliances running high, the controversy risks overshadowing his government’s economic and social priorities.

Schmidt’s heritage—Samoan and German—adds another layer to the controversy. While he has distanced himself from the 2007 incident, the video’s resurgence forces a confrontation with the past, particularly in a nation where historical sensitivities around colonialism and foreign influence remain acute. The apology, though framed as closing the matter, leaves unanswered questions about how such an episode could have occurred under his watch, especially given his current political and diplomatic posturing.

For now, Schmidt has directed focus back to Samoa’s domestic challenges, but the incident has already reshaped perceptions of his leadership—both at home and abroad.