Labour would prioritise recognition of Palestine, sanctions on Israel
New Zealand's Labour Party is criticizing the current government's refusal to impose trade sanctions on Israel regarding the conflict in Gaza. Labour leader Chris Hipkins stated that a Labour-led government would align with nations like the UK, France, and Canada to sanction Israel and formally recognize Palestine.
Why it matters
This highlights a significant shift in New Zealand's foreign policy debate, reflecting growing international pressure on the government to take a stronger stance on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Labour is calling the government's stance on Israel an embarrassment to the country, and says it is failing to meet its responsibilities under the genocide convention.
Britain, France and Canada are set to ban imports from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, with British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband saying Israel is turning a blind eye to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.
However, New Zealand had not followed suit , with Foreign Minister Winston Peters saying New Zealand has not traditionally used trade measures to address foreign policy issues.
Labour's leader Chris Hipkins said that if Labour was in government, New Zealand would be joining in the sanctions against Israel.
He said the government's position on Gaza had also been "weak for the last three years" and it was failing to fulfill its responsibilities as a signatory to the international protocol against genocide.
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