New Zealand is not yet recognising Palestine’s statehood in fear it will embolden terrorist group Hamas, justify Israel’s illegal land acquisition in Palestinian territory and be used for political propaganda.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced the Government’s position in his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, New Zealand becoming the latest country to address the issue as world leaders seek a resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
In his address this morning, Peters argued Palestine did not meet the criteria of a state as it did not have control over its population or territory and believed recognition should be affirmed when “conditions offer greater prospects for peace and negotiation than at present”.
The position aligns closely with that of Singapore and Japan, but separates New Zealand from countries including formal ally Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada, which earlier this week formally recognised Palestine.
Without referencing those countries by name, Peters acknowledged their “good intentions” but warned it could prove counter-productive.
“That is, Hamas resisting negotiation in the belief it is winning the global propaganda war, while pushing Israel towards even more intransigent military positions.”
All three Opposition parties have strongly condemned the decision, claiming it showed Luxon’s cowardice and was a stain on New Zealand’s reputation as a voice for peace.
This afternoon, Labour leader Chris Hipkins slammed the decision as “morally reprehensible”, saying it was “out of synch with our friends around the world”.
He said it showed the government “turning its back on Palestine when we see an unfolding genocide there”.
“New Zealand had an opportunity to show leadership here. I think New Zealanders were hoping that our government would take a principled position and recognise Palestine as our friends in Australia, the UK, and Canada have all done, along with most other countries around the world now. They failed to show that leadership. I was surprised by how weak New Zealand’s position was. We’re now an international outlier.”
Hipkins said the decision showed that the government was “clearly aligning itself” with the United States and Israel, “rather than the rest of the world”.
“Recognition of Palestine is not a recognition of Hamas. It’s a recognition of Palestine. It is absolutely in keeping with New Zealand’s long-standing position that we support a two-state solution.”
Peters, who has spent the week in New York meeting with dozens of foreign leaders, reinforced New Zealand’s support of a two-state solution and accepted statehood recognition was inevitable.
However, he referenced the saying, ‘If the string is too tight it will snap, but if it is too loose, the instrument will not play’, while articulating New Zealand’s reservations against countries that had confirmed recognition.
“Those countries who hoped their earlier signalling of Palestinian statehood recognition would protect and promote the two-state solution have instead seen the Israeli Government snap and continue its widely condemned military actions in Gaza while continuing to develop illegal settlements on the West Bank, in defiance of international law.
“Indeed, what we have observed since partners’ pre-announcements reveals that recognising Palestine now will likely prove counterproductive.
“Rather, we think a future situation – when Israeli and Palestinian political leadership is an asset, not a liability, and where other situational variables have shifted the current calculus away from conflict and towards peace – would be more conducive for recognising Palestinian statehood.”
He feared recognition was susceptible to “political manipulation” by both Israel, which is facing increasing claims it is committing genocide in Gaza, and Hamas, which Luxon has designated a terrorist entity and continues to hold hostages.
“Hamas will seek to portray our recognition of Palestine as a victory, as they have already done in response to partner announcements. Israel will claim that recognition rewards Hamas and that it removes pressure on them to release hostages and agree to a ceasefire.
“Rather, the New Zealand Government believes that it has one opportunity to recognise Palestinian statehood and it would make better sense to do so when conditions offer greater prospects for peace and negotiation than at present.”
He confirmed the Government had committed $10 million to organisations delivering aid to Gaza, taking New Zealand’s total humanitarian aid donations for Gaza to about $47m.
Cabinet made an in-principle decision two weeks ago but did not announce it publicly, agreeing to wait until Peters had spoken with counterparts in New York.
Cabinet documents released today alongside Peters’ speech showed Cabinet was presented with two options; the position announced today or recognising Palestine with a series of conditions attached.
Cabinet agreed to the former, which Peters had preferred.
Speaking to New Zealand media after his speech, Peters said his conversations in New York hadn’t reassured him supporting recognition would bring Israel and Hamas closer to peace.
“We tried to find out from as many people as we can, what would possibly the next day happen that would justify our decision now and we didn’t get the satisfactory answer we would’ve have liked to have had.”
He argued both sides had been emboldened by declarations of Palestinian statehood; Israel furthering plans to take more land in the West Bank and Hamas leaders claiming it justified the October 7 attack.
Peters said he was yet to hear from other countries in response to New Zealand’s position, aside from some Pacific leaders who had congratulated him in-person after his speech.
“We will be pleased to take feedback, to hear other countries’ concerns because we’re all addressing the same problem, the question is when you hit the right button to get the outcome you want, it’s got to be successful
“If it changes for the worse, then it will have failed.”
Labour foreign affairs spokesman Peeni Henare described the decision as an “embarrassment” which put New Zealand on the wrong side of history.
“[Christopher] Luxon had a chance to stand up for what is right, but he failed.
“There is no two-state solution or enduring peace in the Middle East without recognition of Palestine as a state.”
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson said the Government’s position is “cowardly” and a “a stain on Aotearoa’s reputation as a voice for peace”.
“This is bitterly disappointing for the many New Zealanders who wanted the Government to do the right thing and recognise a Palestinian state.
Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said the Government’s position stripped Palestinians of their “right to self-determination and their humanity”.
Act leader David Seymour said he was proud the Government had reinforced New Zealand’s “independence” in its foreign policy.
“Without political hype, we have worked through the issues as a coalition and come to the right position on a terrible situation where there are no easy options.”
New Zealand Jewish Council spokeswoman Juliet Moses said the decision was the right one to push for peace.
“New Zealand has a proud history of advocating for peace and the rules-based international order, and tying recognition to requirements that uphold those values meant we could play a constructive role in encouraging difficult but necessary compromises on both sides.”
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.