Opposition parties, Palestinian groups and a former prime minister have expressed dismay over New Zealand’s decision not to recognise Palestinian statehood, saying it places the country on the wrong side of history and puts it at odds with its traditional allies.
Last week, the UK, Canada, Australia and others formally declared their recognition of statehood ahead of a special UN conference in New York. As of this month, 157 of the 193 UN member countries have recognised a Palestinian state.
It had been anticipated that the New Zealand coalition government would follow suit, particularly in light of previous comments from prime minister Christopher Luxon and other senior ministers that recognising statehood would be a matter of “when, not if”.
But during his address to the UN general assembly on Saturday, foreign affairs minister Winston Peters said while New Zealand was committed to a two-state solution, it would not yet recognise the state of Palestine.
“With a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza, and no clarity on next steps, too many questions remain about the future state of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to announce recognition at this time,” Peters said, adding he was concerned recognition could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire.
The failure to recognise statehood has angered many New Zealanders, some of whom took to social media to share their dismay after the announcement. On Monday, members of the Anglican and Catholic clergy chained themselves to the immigration minister’s Auckland office in protest at the decision.
Former prime minister Helen Clark said New Zealand had placed itself “very much on the wrong side of history.”
“As more and more countries move to see that the recognition of Palestine is part of a process of moving towards a solution, New Zealand is lagging behind for reasons which make very little sense at all,” she told broadcaster RNZ.
The growing number of declarations for statehood come as Israel intensifies its assault on Gaza City and amid fears it could annex the West Bank in retaliation for the recognition from the UK, Australia, France and others. Earlier this month a United Nations independent international commission of inquiry found that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.
Israel has killed more than 66,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, and injured more than 160,000 since Hamas’s 7 October 2023 incursion into Israel. Israel’s actions have decimated vast swathes of the territory and blockades on aid have caused widespread famine, according to international experts.
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to “finish the job” in Gaza and said the recognition of a Palestinian state was “insane” as delegations walked out of his address to the United Nations.
New Zealand’s coalition government has faced increasing demands from opposition parties to recognise statehood, with pressure mounting after tens of thousands of New Zealanders marched through Auckland’s central city earlier this month.
Human rights organisation, Justice for Palestine, said New Zealand has shown a profound lack of leadership on the issue, appearing on the world stage “as a country confused about its position in the world”.
The Green party said the government’s refusal to recognise Palestine was “a stain” on New Zealand’s reputation as a voice for peace and justice, while the Labour party labelled it an “embarrassment”.
“Luxon had a chance to stand up for what is right, but he failed,” said Peeni Henare, Labour’s foreign affairs spokesperson.
“Recognition of Palestine and sanctions on Israel send a clear message to Israel and the world: New Zealand will not stand by while Israel disregards human life and dignity, and international law.”
On Monday, Luxon told broadcaster RNZ, that New Zealanders would have strong views on the situation but that the country could be proud the government had made independent decision.
“We’re not pro-Palestine, we’re not pro-Israel, we’re friends to both, but we are pro-peace and that’s what New Zealand’s continued to advocate for with 80-plus ministerial statements.”
Responding to the criticisms, a spokesperson from Peters office told the Guardian that New Zealand did not question the “good intentions of those who have chosen to recognise Palestine,” and that New Zealand had a shared objective of trying to bring about a two-state solution.
“Where we differ is on the issue of whether recognition right now, in these circumstances, will make a tangible, positive contribution to the realisation of a two-state solution.”
