STORY CONTINUES<\/p>\n
Cabinet made an in-principle decision on Palestinian recognition about two weeks ago but decided it wouldn\u2019t be made public until Peters spoke at the UN meeting. <\/p>\n
Peters, who has spent the past week in New York meeting with other foreign leaders, hasn\u2019t let any details slip even as other nations such as Australia and the United Kingdom announce formal recognition of Palestine. <\/p>\n
Confronted with the question of recognition prior to UNGA, Peters often referenced the more immediate need for a ceasefire in the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas. <\/p>\n
He has also called for the return of hostages still held by Hamas after its attack of Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered an ongoing assault from Israel in Gaza that has reportedly killed more than 60,000 people. <\/p>\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addresses the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
New Zealand supports the idea of a two-state solution as a means to achieve peace. <\/p>\n
Some of the debate about statehood recognition concerns whether such a decision would be seen as rewarding Hamas, which was officially deemed a terrorist organisation by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. <\/p>\n
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made similar claims as he condemned Australia, the UK and Canada for recognising Palestine. <\/p>\n
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI have a clear message to those leaders who recognise a Palestinian state after the horrific massacre of October 7: You are giving a huge reward to terrorism.\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking this morning in New York, Netanyahu vowed to block a Palestinian state, accusing European leaders of pushing his country into \u201cnational suicide\u201d and rewarding Hamas.<\/p>\n Netanyahu, who said his speech was being partially broadcast on Israeli military loudspeakers in Gaza, vowed to \u201cfinish the job\u201d against Hamas even as US President Donald Trump said he thought he had sealed a deal on a ceasefire.<\/p>\n Palestinian foreign ministry official Adel Atieh called Netanyahu\u2019s address \u201cthe speech of a defeated man\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis speech showed neither vision nor perspective: it only reflected growing isolation, a headlong rush forward and the anxiety of a power that knows it stands on the wrong side of history.\u201d<\/p>\n Netanyahu did not touch on the issue of annexing the West Bank, which some members of his Cabinet have threatened as a way to kill any prospect of a real Palestinian state.<\/p>\n