Foreign Minister Winston Peters Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
New Zealand has signed a fresh joint statement with 14 other countries expressing a willingness to recognise the State of Palestine as a necessary step towards a two-State solution.
It comes after the United Kingdom announced an intention to recognise a Palestinian state before the United Nations General Assembly in September unless Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza.
In a separate declaration, foreign ministers from nations including Australia, Canada, France, Ireland and Spain stressed their "unwavering commitment" to the vision of two democratic states - Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace within secure and recognised borders.
They invited others to join them in that call for a Palestinian state - while also urging countries who had not done so to normalise relations with Israel.
In line with previous statements, the ministers condemned the "heinous and antisemitic terrorist attack" of 7 October 2023 and repeated calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and unhindered humanitarian access to the region.
In response to Britain's statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer had rewarded "Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims".
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country would formally recognise a Palestinian state during a UN meeting in September.
Wednesday's statement also expressed grave concern over the high number of civilian deaths in Gaza.
It welcomed recent commitments by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to disarm Hamas, end prisoner payments, reform schooling, and hold democratic elections within a year.
Greens' co-leader Marama Davidson. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
On Wednesday morning, the Green Party called for the New Zealand government to put action behind its words and finally recognise Palestinian statehood.
"History will judge Aotearoa if we fail to do what is right at this pivotal moment," Greens' co-leader Marama Davidson said.
"It's time for the government to make a clear stand for human rights and for justice, and recognise Palestine as a state."
Speaking on Monday, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told reporters New Zealand's position on a Palestinian state remained the same.
"New Zealand's position has been... it's a 'when, not if' conversation... we believe very strongly in a two-State solution."
Luxon said, however, the immediate focus was on getting all parties to get round the table and "actually work this out so this human suffering stops",
"We're putting huge pressure on the parties, as best we can from a long way away... through partnering with like-minded countries."
The full list of countries represented on the statement is: Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia and Spain.
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