Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says the violent targeting of politicians’ homes by protesters is a “disgrace”, saying both sides of public debate over Palestine had “fallen into a black hole of senselessness”.
Peters delivered a ministerial statement in the House this afternoon after his recent announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in New York that New Zealand would not yet be recognising Palestine’s statehood.
“While some New Zealanders wished we would recognise Palestinian statehood in New York, the Government always saw recognition as a distraction or even complication to achieving a ceasefire, the return of hostages and remains, and the unimpeded flow of aid,” Peters said.
“One of our primary concerns throughout has been the generational consequences of the level of suffering and violence we have witnessed these past two years.
“What hope of peace for children who have only known violence, socialised into a situation of insufferable conflict and hatred?”
His address comes two years into the Hamas-Israel conflict, which has caused widespread death and displacement.
“Two years ago today, Hamas mounted its heinous terrorist attacks on Israeli citizens, as well as those from other nations caught in the wrong place on that day of infamy. This resulted in the worst massacre in Israel’s history,” he said.
“That event set off what must seem to most New Zealanders like yet another of the seemingly never-ending cycles of violence in that region.
“We have strongly condemned the overwhelming nature of Israel’s military response as Palestinian civilians have paid a disproportionate price for the sins of Hamas.”
Peters slammed the three New Zealanders who were detained by Israel after joining a flotilla to Gaza, saying they had put themselves in a “dangerous situation” but now expected the Government to bail them out.
“We will do exactly that, not least because the Government feels a sense of responsibility even for those who act utterly irresponsibly.”
He also lambasted MPs in the House he believed had incited an attack on his house overnight.
Peters was not home at the time, but his partner, Jan Trotman, was inside with a guest and his dog Kobe was hit by shattered glass during the incident.
Peters claimed earlier today he had “no doubts” rhetoric from Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick on the Government’s response to the war in Gaza incited the vandalism.
During an earlier protest, a woman had livestreamed the event and reportedly publicised Peters’ address. That same woman was yesterday standing alongside Swarbrick in a press conference concerning New Zealanders who had been detained by Israel after trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
Swarbrick said she hadn’t been aware of the woman’s role in protests outside Peters’ house and hadn’t known she would be at yesterday’s press conference.
She condemned the incident but maintains outrage over the ongoing death and displacement in Gaza is justified.
Peters said the violent targeting of politicians’ private homes by some protesters was a disgrace.
“It has caused distress to our families and disturbed the peace of our neighbours.
“And we must call out those members of this House who collude and collaborate with the very protesters targeting politicians’ homes.
“Do you have no shame? Do you feel so morally righteous that you and your supporters are justified to break any law, any taboo, any political norm? Shame on you.”
Peters reiterated statements he made during his New York UN visit that recognition was considered a matter of “when, not if”.
At the time, the Government’s move was condemned by all opposition parties at the time. Labour leader Chris Hipkins slammed the decision as “morally reprehensible”, saying it was “out of sync with our friends around the world”.
New Zealand’s move aligned closely with that of Singapore and Japan, but separates NZ from countries including formal ally Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. Peters said he had not received any criticism from partners or from other countries, near to or far from the Middle East.