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Summarised by Centrist
A UN Commission of Inquiry has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza, saying senior officials incited actions aimed at destroying Palestinians.
Israel dismissed the findings as fake and based on Hamas lies.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said New Zealand would leave such determinations to the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. “It’s a really important thing that that is done formally, and it’s done appropriately,” he said. Foreign Minister Winston Peters added that the UN report was “not a legal finding” and that New Zealand “will not respond to this.” Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour also pointed to the ICJ, stressing the priority was achieving peace and ending violence.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins described events in Gaza as “an unfolding genocide,” saying the UN report showed “clear evidence there’s genocidal intent” and that four of the five acts listed in the convention were being committed. He acknowledged only a court could make a legal finding but argued New Zealand should call it out.
Green co-leader Marama Davidson said New Zealand should recognise it as genocide, recognise Palestine, and sanction Israel, noting member states are obliged to act on such findings.
