Peters resists calls to recognise Palestinian statehood
Thursday, 31 July 2025
New Zealand should “bite the bullet” and recognise Palestinian statehood now, leading foreign policy expert Professor Robert Patman says, as Foreign Minister Winston Peters warns doing so could be seen as rewarding terrorism.
The call comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the UK would recognise Palestine in September at the United Nations General Assembly, unless Israel allows more aid into Gaza, made clear there will be no annexation of the West Bank and committed to a long-term peace process that delivers a “two-state solution”.
Patman criticised the UK approach saying it undermines Palestinians self determination and uses it as a bargaining chip to pressure Israel. However, it was still a “clear message” and strong commitment, he said.
If New Zealand followed suit, but without conditions, it could deter the Israeli government from annexing more land or evicting Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, Patman said.
Israel is facing growing international condemnation for the starvation crisis in Gaza, where the UN warns famine is imminent and as aid agencies say essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine are in dangerously short supply.
According to Israeli authorities, there are about 50 hostages still held captive in Gaza, after 251 people were abducted by Hamas during the October 7, 2023 attack. The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry reports about 60,000 have been killed in the conflict, with many more expected to die from disease and malnutrition.
More countries signal they will recognise Palestine
Starmer’s announcement signalled a shift in UK policy, with the country previously hesitant to outline when and how it would support Palestinian statehood. Canada, on Thursday, announced it would also recognise Palestine at the UN meeting in September.
France was the first country to announce such a move, while Ireland, Norway, and Spain formally recognised Palestine last year.
Labour and the Green Party have called on the Government to recognise Palestine, but New Zealand has long stated it would recognise Palestine when it meets specific criteria.
Peters reiterated that criteria in the House on Wednesday. It relates to a Palestinian state’s legitimacy and viability, including representative governance, commitments to non-violence, regional support, and security guarantees for Israel.
“If we recognise the State of Palestine, New Zealand wants to know that what we are recognising is a legitimate, representative, viable political entity,” he said.
However, Peters rejected the idea that New Zealand should follow the UK’s lead and set a timeline linked to Israeli actions, such as a ceasefire, halting of annexation, and the resumption of peace talks. He labelled that approach a “colonial mindset”.
He further warned that recognising Palestine before Hamas disarms and returns hostages could be “interpreted as rewarding terrorism”, and said this is part of the reason New Zealand was seeking specific assurances before taking that step.
But Patman said there were issues with Peters’ stance, because his criteria was unachievable for Palestinians caught between Israeli occupation, and Hamas’ authoritarian rule, given no election has been held there since 2006.