John Key's new National Government has carefully - but quietly - dispatched with its predecessor's past record of loudly beating up on Israel whenever it retaliates against the tiny Middle East country's naked aggressors.

But the Key Government runs the risk that unless it steps up its advocacy for an immediate and urgent ceasefire for humanitarian reasons, it will be seen to have abdicated New Zealand's moral leadership in international affairs. On the international issue du jour - Israel's military assault against the Hamas leaders' Gaza stronghold - Foreign Minister Murray McCully has been notably restrained.

No official press releases have been issued under the imprimatur of the New Zealand Government.

Just simply a few bland words by McCully to newswire agencies lamenting the Gaza strip onslaught and endorsing the United Nations' call for an immediate ceasefire. Notably, his words were devoid of the usual harsh condemnatory judgments against Israel that had become a trademark of the Clark Government.

National's newly pragmatic stance will be welcomed by traditional allies such as Britain, Australia and the United States.

The political leadership of such countries used to look askance when Helen Clark and her former foreign minister, Phil Goff, took to their megaphones against Israel, even when justified, as with the attempt by alleged Mossad-related agents to steal New Zealand passport identities.

Not surprisingly, Clark's own position was forthright. In a Labour Party press release, Clark - now her party's foreign affairs spokeswoman - endorsed the UN Security Council's call for a ceasefire. Like McCully - who labelled the Israeli attacks a "day of tragedy" - she also lamented the loss of life in Gaza as "horrific".

But while McCully said it was "pointless" to fingerpoint about who was responsible or debate what was a "proportionate versus disproportionate" response, Clark was categorical: "While Hamas rocket attacks on Israel can never be condoned and have been provocative, nonetheless Israel has further jeopardised the security of its own people through its disproportionate use of force in retaliation."

Now the issue of Key's own leanings have been raised by those that say National is copping out because the Prime Minister - whose late mother was an Austrian Jew - is more sympathetic to Israel's position.

National's fellow travellers have already complained of bigotry after a Herald "letter to the editor" writer made the linkage between Key's Jewishness and the Government's new stance.