Incoming NZ PM Luxon wants ceasefire in Gaza
Incoming New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon has backed calls for a “humanitarian truce” in Gaza, the position the country supported at the United Nations.
Chris Luxon
Mr Luxon’s centre-right National party won the October 14 election but is waiting on final results to form a coalition government.
During the caretaker period, the outgoing Labour government consults with Mr Luxon on major matters, including its stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.
New Zealand was the only member of the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance – which also includes Australia, the United States, United Kingdom and Canada – to support the call for a ceasefire, termed a “immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce” in a UN vote this week.
The US voted against, while Australia abstained, with Australia’s UN representative James Larsen citing the failure of the resolution to “recognise terror group Hamas as the perpetrator of the 7 October attack”.
While New Zealand is allied with Australia, the language didn’t stop Wellington supporting the ceasefire calls, in another display of its independent foreign policy.
In his most expansive comments on the conflict, Mr Luxon told Radio NZ a ceasefire was imperative as “protection of civilians and humanitarian systems is a real priority”.
“We supported the statement that was made by 120 countries at the UN which was very clearly calling for humanitarian truce so that we can actually get assistance and aid to civilians in Gaza,” he said.
Mr Luxon wouldn’t be drawn on whether he believed the growing civilian death toll in Gaza, including thousands of children, broke international law.
“Those are determinations for ICC (the International Criminal Court) and others to make,” he said.
“We expect all parties to be acting in accordance with international law and to demonstrate basic humanity.
“We do condemn Hamas’ attacks on Israel. They were barbaric, they were terrorists, they were unprovoked.
“Taking hostages, the use of civilians, human shields: unacceptable. We do support Israel’s right to defend themselves.”
Mr Luxon has moderated his language on the conflict over the last month.
During the election campaign, and just days after the shock Hamas attack, Mr Luxon said “we stand by Israel” when asked whether it had responded proportionately.
He also took issue with a social media post from Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, who called for peace without acknowledging Israel’s right to respond, putting her out of step with many leaders of New Zealand’s allies.
However, days after winning the election, National put humanitarian needs at the top of its response, supporting a $NZ5 million ($A4.7 million) aid contribution made by the government under caretaker provisions.
Mr Luxon said he still had hope for a two-state solution, and war wouldn’t achieve that.
“We do believe ultimately restarting the Middle East peace process is exactly what’s needed in this region to secure peace long-term,” he said.
“No military action will secure that and so that is ultimately the pathway that we need to get to, to get to that two state solution.”
Mr Luxon also revealed he had spoken to one of his senior MPs, Chris Bishop, about an emailed response to a constituent in which he compared Hamas’ attack to the Holocaust.
“I thought it was strong language,” Mr Luxon said.
“It is a difficult time for the communities within New Zealand who have family and loved ones that have been caught up in this conflict.”
AAP
So NEW ZEALAND PM “WANTS “a cease fire in a country that isn’t his to rule, dictate too or whose politics is none of his business???
Other then that everyone is happy to quote the outrageous ‘death” numbers from the Hamas, lying mass murdering terrorist source??
Can’t make this up!
Interesting really, it was aa previous National Party Government that list the Military wing of Hamas as a terrorist group under New Zealand Law. I fully endorse Chris Bishop’s comments to his constituent.
John McCormick
Waipukurau
Mr Luxton, It is time you grew up. Israel should not cease fire or supply food, water, fuel and Medical supplies to Hamas . Hamas seeks to destroy Israel, Jews and Christians and organisations such as the Freemasons, Rotary and Lions and other such groups who they see as the enemy. During World War 2 New Zealand, Australia and their allies did not ceasefire or supply the enemy with food and supplies . We destroyed Nazi Germany.
Yours faithfully
John B McCormick
Chairman Hawkes Bay Provence Friends of Israel
Po Box 353
Waipukurau 4242
New Zealand
Henry Please publish my full address with this. I am not afraid of any Kickback I have had it all before.
I respect Chris Luxton and his concern for the humanitarian needs of the Palestinians but I have had nearly 12 years in East Jerusalem and Gaza and know the mentality of the people Israel is up against. Lies, use of cheating and subterfuge to promote how Israel causes them to suffer. But it is Hamas and Islamic jihad that have kept their people in captivity. Hamas was voted in 2005 and a never had a election so while it may be possible to think they are ‘innocent Palestinians’, they have willingly followed their demands and when it suits them they go to Israel to earn money at the same time. Israel offers surgical help and kindness but that is not true of many in Gaza. Hamas has stores of supply; water, food; medical supplies and huge tanks of diesel but they will not provide for their own people. It is disgusting and so I stand with Israel!
You have articulated reality, Dorothy. Unfortunately, unlike yourself, others like the incoming NZ PM have no clue about the situation and therefore continue to pander to woke progressive illusionary rhetoric.