New Zealand holds firm on Palestinian statehood recognition: “no reward for terror”

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed his government will not follow the United Kingdom’s lead in conditionally recognising a Palestinian state, declaring the time is not right for symbolic moves that risk legitimising terrorism.

“Not at this point,” Luxon told reporters on 30 July, responding to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s announcement that Britain may formally recognise Palestinian statehood at the UN General Assembly in September — unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and other conditions.

While reaffirming New Zealand’s long-standing support for a two-state solution, Luxon emphasised that humanitarian relief in Gaza must be the priority. “We need to put pressure on Israel to get humanitarian assistance unfettered, at scale, at volume, into Gaza,” he said. “You can talk about a whole bunch of other things, but for right now, the world needs to focus.”

New Zealand was among 15 countries that signed a joint statement overnight expressing willingness to recognise a Palestinian state as part of a comprehensive peace solution. However, Luxon stressed there were “slight differences” among the countries and reiterated that New Zealand would not rush to recognition without conditions being met.

“We are a long way away,” Luxon said, referring to New Zealand’s limited diplomatic influence and trade relationship with Israel. “We have to send our messages and our concerns out in very unambiguous terms.”

Recognition Must Be Earned — Not Given

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters echoed the Prime Minister’s cautious approach during Question Time in Parliament, reaffirming that New Zealand “steadfastly supports the establishment of a Palestinian state” — but only under very specific circumstances.

“We want to know that what we are recognising is a legitimate, representative, viable, political entity,” Peters said, outlining three clear preconditions: evidence of representative governance, a commitment to non-violence, and security guarantees for Israel.

Peters went further, agreeing with ACT MP Simon Court that recognising a Palestinian state under current conditions — with Hamas still holding hostages and actively engaging in terror — could be seen as a “reward for acts of terrorism.”

“That’s most likely how it’d be interpreted,” Peters responded.

Opposition Pushes for Hasty Action

Opposition parties were quick to criticise the government’s position. Labour leader Chris Hipkins said New Zealand was lagging behind global momentum and should act now: “We shouldn’t wait for other countries to embarrass us into doing it.”

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson asked, “What more suffering do they need to see with their own eyes [before] doing something committed or definite like recognising Palestinian statehood?”

Peters dismissed the criticism, calling the opposition’s stance “absolutist” and “naive.” He maintained that recognition, if granted prematurely, would undercut the very principles of peace and coexistence New Zealand claims to uphold.

A Global Trend — But With Risks

France has announced it will formally recognise the State of Palestine at the next UN General Assembly meeting, while Norway, Spain, and Ireland did so in 2024. However, New Zealand’s refusal to be swept along reflects growing international unease over rewarding groups that refuse to disarm, renounce terror, or recognise Israel’s right to exist.

The current Palestinian Authority lacks unified control of the territories it claims, and Gaza remains under the violent grip of Hamas — a proscribed terrorist organisation by many Western nations, including New Zealand.

By drawing a clear line, Luxon and Peters have positioned New Zealand as a rare voice of restraint in a political environment increasingly shaped by performative diplomacy. Their message is clear: statehood must be earned, not handed out as a symbolic gesture amid ongoing violence.