Cairo, Egypt – New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced in his address to the United Nations General Assembly that his country will not immediately recognize the State of Palestine. He noted that current circumstances do not permit it.
He explained that the ongoing war in Gaza, Hamas’ continued control of the Strip, and the uncertain future of the Palestinian state make recognition at this stage an “unwise step.”
Fear of complicating the scene
Peters warned that announcing recognition now could backfire. It could push Israel and Hamas toward further intransigence, thus hindering efforts to reach a ceasefire.
Recognition is postponed, not cancelled.
For his part, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon confirmed that his country does not rule out future recognition. He said, “It’s not a question of if we will recognize, but when.”
Internal criticism
The decision sparked a wave of criticism from the New Zealand opposition Labour Party. They argued that the government was “putting the country on the wrong side of history.” They also emphasized that no lasting peace could be achieved without recognizing a Palestinian state.
New Zealand’s position contrasts with those of Australia, Canada, and Britain. These countries recently recognized Palestine, joining more than 140 countries that have taken the same step.
