New Zealand’s prime minister slams Netanyahu as calls grow to recognise Palestinian statehood

Department of Research, Studies and International News -13-08-2025

New Zealand’s political debate over recognising the State of Palestine intensified this week, with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon sharply criticising Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and a high-profile lawmaker expelled from parliament during heated exchanges.

Speaking to national media on Wednesday, Luxon condemned the ongoing Israeli assault on Gaza, describing the situation as “utterly appalling.” He did not hold back when addressing Netanyahu’s actions, stating:

“I think Netanyahu has gone way too far. I think he has lost the plot. What we are seeing overnight, with the attack on Gaza City, is utterly, utterly unacceptable.”

Luxon further accused the Israeli leader of ignoring the international community’s calls for restraint, highlighting that Netanyahu’s approach was not in line with global expectations for peace and stability.

His comments, some of the strongest yet from the New Zealand leader regarding Israel’s conduct, come amid a wave of global momentum towards recognising Palestinian statehood. Australia recently joined Canada, the United Kingdom, and France in pledging to officially recognise Palestine at a United Nations conference scheduled for September.

A divided parliament and a fiery debate

The growing international shift has placed the New Zealand government under increasing scrutiny. Opposition parties argue that Wellington is moving too slowly and risks isolating itself from its traditional allies on the matter.

The debate reached a boiling point on Tuesday when Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was ordered out of parliament. Swarbrick accused the government of being a “laggard” and “outlier” for delaying a decision, and urged members of the ruling coalition to support her party’s bill aimed at sanctioning Israel for what she called “war crimes.”

The sanctions proposal, first introduced in March, already enjoys full backing from opposition parties, including Labour and Te Pati Māori. Swarbrick told MPs:

“If we find six of the 68 government MPs with a spine, we can stand on the right side of history.”

Parliamentary Speaker Gerry Brownlee ruled her remark “completely unacceptable,” demanding she withdraw it and apologise. When she refused, she was expelled from the chamber for the remainder of the day. Brownlee later clarified that she would be allowed to return on Wednesday, but only if she issued the required apology.

Government hesitation versus opposition pressure

Luxon’s government has maintained that it will announce a decision on Palestinian statehood in September. Foreign Minister Winston Peters told MPs the government would spend the coming month consulting with international partners and assessing the situation before making a formal commitment.

“We’ll be weighing this decision carefully rather than rushing to judgment,” Peters said.

For the opposition, this wait-and-see approach represents a moral and diplomatic failure. Labour MP Peeni Henare reminded parliament of New Zealand’s tradition of taking principled stances in international affairs, warning that the country was “being left behind” while others acted.

Netanyahu’s defiance of global opinion

Netanyahu, facing growing isolation on the world stage, has openly criticised countries moving to recognise Palestine. Earlier this week, he dismissed the decisions by several European nations and Australia, calling their positions “shameful” and accusing them of falling into a “rabbit hole.”

The Israeli prime minister claimed his military was applying force “judiciously” in Gaza, a statement widely challenged by human rights organisations, global South nations, and many Western activists who have documented widespread civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure.

Netanyahu’s rhetoric reflects his hardline approach, which aligns with Washington’s continued political and military support for Tel Aviv despite overwhelming calls from the UN General Assembly and much of the Global South, including China, Russia, India, and numerous Arab and African nations, for an immediate ceasefire and a negotiated two-state solution.

Shifting global dynamics

The intensifying debate in Wellington reflects broader geopolitical shifts. While the United States and Israel resist any immediate recognition of Palestinian statehood, the rest of the world, including major powers in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, is increasingly uniting in support of Palestinian sovereignty as a legitimate and urgent necessity for peace.

For countries like China, Russia, and India, recognition of Palestine aligns with long-standing positions advocating for a fair and just resolution to the conflict, opposing unilateral military aggression, and respecting the right of peoples to self-determination.

New Zealand now faces a defining foreign policy choice: whether to follow Washington’s lead and delay, or join the expanding coalition of nations pressing for recognition and accountability. With domestic political pressure mounting, and Luxon’s own condemnation of Netanyahu on record, the September decision could mark a turning point in the country’s stance towards the Palestinian cause.