Both Prime Minister Luxon and Foreign Minister Peters have said that the Cabinet will decide on the timing of the recognition of the State of Palestine after careful consideration and listening to the views of the community. FIANZ has responded with the following evidence-based report.

Our analysis covers both international law of recognition of a State and NZ’s own preconditions for such recognition. We have highlighted that NZ has set preconditions for the recognition of Palestine which have not been set for any other state which NZ has recognised in the last 75 years. This is untenable. 

We have focused on the three baseline pillars which both Luxon and Peters have outlined, that of international law, two-state solution and humanitarian action. In our view and based on evidence, NZ needs to recognise Palestine without delay if we are to be consistent with our own foreign policy values.

We have arrived at a conclusion that New Zealand’s continued delay in recognising the State of Palestine is inconsistent with our obligations under international law, our longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, and our humanitarian principles. Recognition would better position New Zealand as a credible actor in support of peace, while aligning our policy with the majority of the international community and with our Five Eyes partners’ assessments of Israel’s breaches of international law.

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