Luxon fears escalation
NZ Govt urged to take less ‘passive’ approach as Iran retaliates against Israel
A leading foreign affairs expert is warning the Government against being too “passive” in its response to the escalating Middle East crisis.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon added his voice to those of global leaders such as the United States and Australia, who condemned Iran’s April 13 retaliatory military strikes on Israel.
But Robert Patman, a politics professor at the University of Otago, said Luxon should also condemn Israel for its “provocative” attack on Iran’s embassy in Damascus, Syria, on April 1.
The air strikes killed seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including a top commander. Israel has neither confirmed nor denied it was behind the attack, but the world was waiting for Iran’s response.
Patman said New Zealand was “following the Western line” by condemning the Iranian response.
“But for the reasons of balance we can’t ignore the circumstances which provoked it,” he said. “I thought from the outset that we have been far too passive in this crisis. We have a huge stake in what is called the rules-based international order. We depend on it for trade. If there is a free for all, it is the smaller powers that suffer, not the big ones.”
Luxon said yesterday he was “deeply concerned” the conflict in the Middle East would escalate even further. Speaking from Cairns, Australia, on his way to Singapore, he said all sides should show restraint. “We urge all sides to de-escalate ... and make sure we don’t see wider conflict in the region. It is the last thing the region needs right now.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters also condemned Iran’s attacks yesterday, saying the Government was “gravely concerned” the conflict would escalate further.
“Escalation and retaliation do not equal self-defence under international law. We expect both sides to now refrain from fuelling tensions.”
Foreign affairs experts have for months warned that the Israeli war on Gaza may spill over into a regional conflict. Antonio Guterres, secretary-general of the United Nations, at the weekend said Iran’s attack was a “serious escalation” and that he was “deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation”.
“I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East. Neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”
Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have been at war since early October. It began when Hamas gunmen launched an attack on Israel on October 7, killing about 1200 people. Israel began a campaign of air strikes in response. More than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed as a result, according to local health officials.
Peters was last week in New York at the United Nations General Assembly, where he called the war in Gaza an “utter catastrophe” and criticised its Security Council for failing to act.
Patman said the speech was well received, but was about four to five months too late.
Dr Reuben Steff, a politics lecturer at the University of Otago, said New Zealand should continue to call for de-escalation and for an end to the conflict in Gaza.
“A ceasefire and release of the remaining hostages by Hamas would be the quickest path towards this. Ultimately, however, the ball – and fate of the region – is in the court of Israel, the US and Iran.”