New Zealand’s announcement at the UN General Assembly today that it would not be recognising the state of Palestine highlights the profound failure of leadership by this Government, both at home and abroad. The disunity within the Government, revealed by David Seymour earlier breaking ranks to speak publicly about the ACT Party’s opposition to Palestinian statehood, once again leaves the New Zealand public wondering who is actually running this country. It seems the National Party is second fiddle in its own Government.
“Minister Peters spoke about New Zealand’s commitment to international law, the rules based order and multilateralism. Yet on statehood today we have stood apart from our traditional allies – the UK, Australia, Canada and France – who took coordinated and courageous action in recognising Palestine. New Zealand appeared on the world stage as a country confused about its position in the world”, said Samira Zaiton, Justice for Palestine spokesperson.
“Peters had the audacity to imply that this action by our allies contributed to Israel’s expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and continued escalation of its war on Gaza. It is clear for all the world to see that Israel has taken these actions due to its long running impunity for its flagrant disregard for international law and multilateralism, including assassinating peace negotiators on the sovereign territory of the state facilitating those negotiations,” said Zaiton.
Justice for Palestine is clear that if this Government is committed to international law and multilateralism it must take action to protect these institutions. Israel is the party systematically shredding these institutions with impunity and the complicity of the West. If this Government is looking for the action that will make a meaningful contribution to bringing the violence to an end then that action is to sanction Israel swiftly and firmly until it complies with its obligations under international law.
“In refusing to recognise Palestinians’ right to Statehood, Peter proclaimed that Palestinians did not have the requisite control over its territory or governing capacity. This situation is the direct result of Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine – and the very reason why we need to sanction Israel,” said Zaiton.
“Until Western states, like New Zealand, hold Israel to account and impose concrete consequences for its disregard for international law, we will never have the foundation for a just and lasting peace. New Zealand has an opportunity to provide an example of leadership for our allies to follow, and impose diplomatic, economic and military sanctions on Israel. The people of New Zealand expect nothing less. The question is whether this Government has the vision and strength to do so,” said Zaiton.