‘It’s not something we can afford to remain quiet on’

As world leaders weigh in on the Israel-Hamas war, New Zealand’s political response has been lacking, says an academic, who is urging a joint statement ahead of a government being formed.

New Zealand has long spoken out on the Israel and Palestine situation, with bipartisan support for the two-state solution and advocacy for both sides to abide by international law.

In 2017, the National-led government sponsored a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements in Palestine. It was a rare resolution passed, with the US abstaining rather than vetoing.

But with the election result, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is in a caretaker role ahead of National’s Christopher Luxon taking over, likely in a few weeks. This has seen Luxon reluctant to comment as the violence between Israel and Hamas has escalated in recent days and instead defer to Hipkins.

Meanwhile, Hipkins has been out of the spotlight. While he made a statement condemning Hamas’ attack on October 7, and on Tuesday announced humanitarian aid for Gaza, the only government statements since the blast at the al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City have come from Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Andrew Little through social media. Mahuta’s statement used similar language to traditional allies, such as Australia, in condemning the targeting of civilians while advocating for adherence to international law.

Otago University professor of politics and international relations Robert Patman said people around the world would be watching for New Zealand’s response.

“I’ve been very concerned by the fact that Chris Luxon and Chris Hipkins haven’t got together, given what they both described as a bipartisan approach to foreign policy, and issued a joint statement. For the caretaker and the incoming government, this is a crucial issue. And it’s actually a challenge to the New Zealand worldview of international rulesbased order.

“It’s not something we can afford to remain quiet on.”

Hipkins has announced $5 million in aid to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. This was done in consultation with Luxon.

The Prime Minister’s office said there was no joint statement planned.

The loudest political voices from New Zealand so far have come from the Green Party and Te Pa¯ti Ma¯ori, who have issued multiple statements condemning Hamas’ attack along with the scale of response by Israel. Both have called for a ceasefire, while Te Pa¯ti Ma¯ori called for the Israeli ambassador to be expelled.

The Act Party also strongly condemned the Hamas attack but has not made further statements.

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