Govt to consider recognising state of Palestine as early as next month
Foreign Minister Winston Peters said today the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is rightly "at the forefront of the global agenda".
He took an oral item to Cabinet today about recognition of a state of Palestine, ahead of a formal consideration of the issue in September.
Peters also said he would be travelling to New York in late September, to present UN leaders with New Zealand's approach.
But first, Peters said New Zealand would "need to weigh up" whether sufficient progress was being made against certain benchmarks to warrant New Zealand state recognition at this juncture.
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These benchmarks were "pre-requisites for a viable and legitimate Palestinian state – in security, political, diplomatic and economic terms", Peters said.
"New Zealand has been clear for some time that our recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if.
'New Zealand has been giving this issue careful, methodical and deliberate attention. We will be taking heed of the facts on the ground deteriorating rapidly; our close partners being divided on the issue of recognition; and a range of Arab states making clear Hamas must disarm and must have no future role in Palestinian governance."
Australia to recognise Palestinian state in September
Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today confirmed Australia would recognise Palestine as a state in September.
Albanese said he discussed the decision with other world leaders, including both New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
'A two-state solution is humanity's best hope to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and to bring an end to the conflict, suffering and starvation in Gaza," Albanese said. "The international community's vision for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East always encompassed two states – living side-by-side with internationally recognised borders.'
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Recently, the UK, Canada, and France have shared their plans to recognise Palestine as a state.
Journalists killed in Israel
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved a plan for his country to retake Gaza City last week.
That decision marked another escalation in Israel's 22-month offensive, which began in response to Hamas' October 7 attack.
Today, a heavy bombardment was reported in Gaza City. Shortly after, broadcaster Al Jazeera said correspondent Anas al-Sharif had been killed in a strike.
Associated Press reported three other journalists and a driver were killed, along with al-Sharif.
Israel's military confirmed the death, asserting al-Sharif 'posed as a journalist' but alleged he was with Hamas.
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