NZ backs wider Palestinian role

New Zealand has voted in favour of a resolution to broaden the Palestinian role at the United Nations General Assembly.

Overnight Friday the assembly voted overwhelmingly in favour of Palestine being granted full membership of the United Nations.

New Zealand was among 143 countries that supported the resolution — nine, including the US, voted against.

Palestine currently has observer status. A bid for full membership would have to be approved by the UN Security Council, where it would probably be vetoed by the US.

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the resolution enhanced the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full member.

“New Zealand will make a clear statement to the UN explaining its vote, indicating that while it supports enhancing Palestine’s status at the UN, this does not amount to recognition of Palestinian statehood,” Peters said.

New Zealand’s vote first and foremost reflected the frustration felt by the international community “at the endless cycle of violence that continues to beset the region”, he said.

“While the UN resolution is a strong statement in support of Palestine’s aspirations and reflects New Zealand and the international community’s expectations for real progress towards a political solution, achieving statehood must ultimately require serious negotiations between both Israel and Palestinians, including over the political authority of a future Palestinian state,” Peters said.

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