Summarised by Centrist
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has defended New Zealand’s decision not to recognise a Palestinian state, saying the move reflects principle and realism rather than pressure from activists or other Western governments.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Peters said New Zealand’s position is guided by the Montevideo Convention on statehood, which sets out clear criteria. “We all share a criteria based on the convention… it’s not a matter of if, it’s when,” he said.
He rejected claims that New Zealand is lagging behind allies such as Australia and Spain, saying those nations have moved the goalposts for political reasons: “As the situation’s worsened, they’ve decided to change their criteria. We have not, because we do not think that is the critical thing at the present time.”
“We’ve given tens of millions in aid over the years. That’s the real test,” he said. “Our moral responsibility is to act ethically based on principles, not to engage in virtue signalling that achieves nothing,”
Pressed on polls suggesting 42 percent of New Zealanders want recognition, Peters shot back, “When was 42 percent ever a majority?”
“I’m looking at the Sudan. I’m looking at Myanmar. I’m looking at 36 million, maybe 45 million people starving. And the world doesn’t seem to care. Why is that?”
“We have called for new leadership in Palestine on this issue, and new leadership, dare I say it, in Israel on this issue, because long-term peace is what we want.”
