"Opposition parties, Palestinian groups and a former prime minister have expressed dismay over New Zealand's decision not to recognise Palestinian statehood, saying it places the country on the wrong side of history and puts it at odds with its traditional allies. Last week, the UK, Canada, Australia and others formally declared their recognition of statehood ahead of a special UN conference in New York. As of this month, 157 of the 193 UN member countries have recognised a Palestinian state."
"It had been anticipated that the New Zealand coalition government would follow suit, particularly in light of previous comments from prime minister Christopher Luxon and other senior ministers that recognising statehood would be a matter of when, not if. But during his address to the UN general assembly on Saturday, foreign affairs minister Winston Peters said while New Zealand was committed to a two-state solution, it would not yet recognise the state of Palestine."
"With a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza, and no clarity on next steps, too many questions remain about the future state of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to announce recognition at this time, Peters said, adding he was concerned recognition could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire. The failure to recognise statehood has angered many New Zealanders, some of whom took to social media to share their dismay after the announcement."
"On Monday, members of the Anglican and Catholic clergy chained themselves to the immigration minister's Auckland office in protest at the decision. Former prime minister Helen Clark said New Zealand had placed itself very much on the wrong side of history. As more and more countries move to see that the recognition of Palestine is part of a process of moving towards a solution, New Zealand is lagging behind for reasons which make very little sense at all, she told broadcaster RNZ."
New Zealand declined to recognise Palestinian statehood despite a recent wave of recognition by countries including the UK, Canada and Australia and 157 UN members. Expectations that the coalition government would follow were raised by earlier comments from senior ministers. Foreign affairs minister Winston Peters stated that ongoing war, Hamas's control of Gaza and unclear next steps leave too many questions to prudently recognise statehood now, and that recognition could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire. The decision provoked public anger, social media dismay, clergy protests and criticism from figures such as former prime minister Helen Clark.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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