Outgoing, incoming NZ government spat over Israel-Hamas
The conflict in the Middle East has become a contested political issue in New Zealand after the incoming government declined to support Labour’s call for a ceasefire.
Gerry Brownlee
The centre-right National Party says it stands with Australia’s position rather than an immediate ceasefire.
On Sunday, Labour broke ranks with caretaker conventions to declare its support for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Party leader and still prime minister Chris Hipkins said he tried negotiate a shared position with National – still in talks to form government after winning last month’s election – but the party refused.
National’s foreign affairs spokesman Gerry Brownlee told Radio NZ the party supported “joining with Australia and Canada in a statement that was essentially calling for a ceasefire but making it clear there would be conditions that need to be met”
and that it wasn’t ready to formalise that position.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has called for steps towards a ceasefire, rather than a ceasefire itself, which would include Hamas releasing hostages it took after its October 7 attack.
Mr Hipkins agrees Hamas should release hostages, arguing the ceasefire should happen first given the weight of the civilian death toll.
Mr Brownlee said Labour’s position was unrealistic.
“Saying absolute things like ‘There must be a ceasefire’ is not going to make it happen. We have to have a high degree of diplomacy,” he said.
“There are very volatile parties to this and there will be steps towards what we will hope will be an end to hostilities and an enduring peace.
“Our position was, recognising that international pressure is important, lets align ourselves with the Australians and the Canadians.”
The issue is the first stance Labour has taken since losing the election.
A fortnight ago, when Mr Hipkins was confirmed by the Labour partyroom as its leader, he declared the party’s policy slate was clean after their election loss.
He said five weeks on from the election, it was fair to make a stance for Labour, even though government talks continued.
“”It has become untenable for me and it runs against Labour party values to stand by and watch the horrific scenes we are witnessing without calling for a ceasefire,” he said.
National accused Mr Hipkins of politicising the conflict.
“Given New Zealand’s long-standing bipartisan approach to foreign policy, it is very disappointing that Chris Hipkins is playing politics with such a serious issue,” a spokesman said.
AAP
Hipkins’s position is incompatible with the facts on the ground.
i suspect he is an ideologue who erfuses to accept facts shoved right in front of his face.
In short he has acted in a spineless and lemming like manner.