Summarised by Centrist
At the United Nations General Assembly, Winston Peters tore into Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, calling it a “grossly disproportionate response” that has left the world “shocked to our core by harrowing images of famine.”
He described Hamas’ October 7, 2023, massacre as the worst in Israel’s history and declared, “Hamas have no place in any future Palestinian state. They know only hate.” Yet he was unsparing about Israel’s conduct, saying New Zealanders were “revolted” by the scale of its onslaught.
“Without hope, the cycles of violence will not end,” Peters warned. “It will instead be a terrorist breeding ground creating the next generation of recruits for those who only hate.”
New Zealand’s foreign minister made clear that recognition of Palestine is “a matter of when, not if,” but argued recognition now would be “counterproductive,” handing Hamas a propaganda win while hardening Israel’s war footing. “New Zealand’s recognition of Palestinian statehood now would serve as little more than an existential act of defiance … We are not ready to make that gesture,” he said.
Peters also listed the staggering scale of humanitarian disasters ignored outside Gaza and Ukraine: over 21 million in the Congo need aid, 30 million in Sudan, 65 percent of its population requires protection, and Myanmar is enduring the worst crisis in Southeast Asia
He concluded by saying the UN “remains our greatest hope for future peace,” but only if member states summon the courage to reform it.
