Opposition parties, Palestinian groups and a former prime minister have expressed dismay over New Zealand\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Last week, the UK, Canada, Australia and others formally declared their recognition of statehood<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u201cwhen, not if\u201d.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWith a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza<\/a>, 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,\u201d Peters said, adding he was concerned recognition could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s Auckland office in protest at the decision.<\/p>\n Former prime minister Helen Clark said New Zealand had placed itself \u201cvery much on the wrong side of history.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAs 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,\u201d she told broadcaster RNZ.<\/a><\/p>\n 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<\/a> that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza.<\/p>\n Israel has killed more than 66,000 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, and injured more than 160,000 since Hamas\u2019s 7 October 2023 incursion into Israel. Israel\u2019s actions have decimated vast swathes<\/a> of the territory and blockades on aid have caused widespread famine<\/a>, according to international experts.<\/p>\n Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters march through the Auckland CBD on 13 September. Photograph: Phil Walter\/Getty Images<\/p>\n Israel\u2019s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to \u201cfinish the job\u201d in Gaza<\/a> and said the recognition of a Palestinian state was \u201cinsane\u201d as delegations walked out of his address to the United Nations<\/a>.<\/p>\n New Zealand\u2019s 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\u2019s central city earlier this month.<\/p>\n Human rights organisation, Justice for Palestine, said New Zealand has shown a profound lack of leadership on the issue, appearing on the world stage \u201cas a country confused about its position in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n The Green party said the government\u2019s refusal to recognise Palestine was \u201ca stain\u201d on New Zealand\u2019s reputation as a voice for peace and justice, while the Labour party labelled it an \u201cembarrassment\u201d. <\/p>\n \u201cLuxon had a chance to stand up for what is right, but he failed,\u201d said Peeni Henare, Labour\u2019s foreign affairs spokesperson.<\/p>\n \u201cRecognition of Palestine and sanctions on Israel<\/a> 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.\u201d<\/p>\n