New Zealand would be prepared to play a peacekeeping role in the Middle East if there was a settlement under the terms proposed by the United Nations, Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said today.
He condemned violence on both sides of the conflict and said the escalating cycle of death during Easter was taking neither side closer to achieving its objectives.
"We unequivocally condemn the suicide bombings which over the Easter period saw 35 Israelis die and over 200 wounded. Those responsible for sending young people to their deaths in this way and arbitrarily slaughtering civilians should be brought to justice," Mr Goff said in a statement.
"But equally we condemn the reported cold-blooded execution of five of Yasser Arafat's bodyguards by Israeli forces. There must be accountability for these actions and also for the policy of deliberate extra-judicial executions of Palestinian militants by Israel over the past 18 months."
Mr Goff said the test for leadership on either side was whether there was sufficient strength and courage to commit to a return to negotiation and a peaceful solution.
The UN Security Council had passed Resolution 1397 which proposed a two state solution, and this was in line with New Zealand's consistent support for Israel's right to secure and agreed borders and for Palestinians to have a viable state in which self-determination, social and economic progress could be achieved.
"Both the United States and Arab countries would have to promote the need for Israel and the Palestinians to be flexible in agreeing to such a settlement," Mr Goff said.
"In the event of such a settlement, as a long-standing contributor to peacekeeping forces in the Middle East, New Zealand could and would be prepared to play a role in building a peaceful solution."
- NZPA
NZ prepared for Mideast peacekeeping role: Goff
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