The Government is weighing up its position on the recognition of Palestine as a state.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said today the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is rightly “at the forefront of the global agenda”.
He took an oral item to Cabinet today about recognition of a state of Palestine, ahead of a formal consideration of the issue in September.
Peters also said he would be travelling to New York in late September, to present UN leaders with New Zealand’s approach.
But first, Peters said New Zealand would “need to weigh up” whether sufficient progress was being made against certain benchmarks to warrant New Zealand state recognition at this juncture.
These benchmarks were “pre-requisites for a viable and legitimate Palestinian state – in security, political, diplomatic and economic terms”, Peters said.
“New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if.
“New Zealand has been giving this issue careful, methodical and deliberate attention. We will be taking heed of the facts on the ground deteriorating rapidly; our close partners being divided on the issue of recognition; and a range of Arab states making clear Hamas must disarm and must have no future role in Palestinian governance.”
Speaking at the post-Cabinet media conference today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand had a long-standing position to recognise both Israel and Palestine, describing it as a “complex issue” with strong feelings on all sides.
“It’s important we make our own decision as New Zealand. We have an independent foreign policy and it’s important we weigh it up seriously. I think we’ve got a good process to get to that decision.”
Any Palestinian state with Hamas in charge would be a “non-starter”, Luxon said.
“There is no role for Hamas in any future Palestinian state.”
Luxon would not be drawn on the benchmarks that progress would have to measured against for New Zealand to recognise Palestinian statehood, saying the criteria would be released at the same time as the decision.
Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today confirmed Australia would recognise Palestine as a state in September.
Albanese said he discussed the decision with other world leaders, including both New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“A two-state solution is humanity’s best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza,” Albanese said. “The international community’s vision for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East always encompassed two states – living side-by-side with internationally recognised borders.”
Recently, the UK, Canada, and France have shared their plans to recognise Palestine as a state.
Opposition calls for immediate recognition
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was “well and truly time” for the New Zealand government to recognise Palestine.
“It’s the right thing to do, and no amount of waffle from them is going to hide the fact that they are showing a total lack of leadership on the issue.”
He said he felt New Zealand was “out of step” with the rest of the world, including key allies.
“It’s time for New Zealand to follow suit.”
The Green Party said the Government “continues to delay any meaningful action”.
“If the Government believes what it says about a two-state solution, it can and must recognise Palestine statehood, immediately,” said co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick.
“Aotearoa has a proud history of standing up for human rights and justice, even when powerful allies disagree. Most UN member states already recognise Palestine.”
Swarbrick said the Green Party had drafted a Bill to sanction Israel.
“The only thing in the way of this law passing, right now, is identifying just six out of 68 Government members willing to stand on the right side of history.”
Journalists killed in Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a plan for his country to retake Gaza City last week.
That decision marked another escalation in Israel’s 22-month offensive, which began in response to Hamas’ October 7 attack.
Today, a heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City. Shortly after, broadcaster Al Jazeera said correspondent Anas al-Sharif had been killed in a strike.
The Associated Press reported three other journalists and a driver were killed, along with al-Sharif.
Israel’s military confirmed the death, asserting al-Sharif “posed as a journalist” but alleged he was with Hamas.
