By Greg Bouwer on J-Wire…
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has reaffirmed that New Zealand’s government has not made a final decision on recognising a “Palestinian state,” maintaining that the issue will be addressed during the United Nations Leaders’ Week in New York next week.
Speaking at a post-Cabinet press conference on Monday, Luxon repeatedly emphasised that Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will communicate the government’s position at the UN, in line with a careful Cabinet process.
“The decision will be communicated, as [Peters has articulated] at the UN Leaders’ Week,” Luxon said. “We have a Cabinet process that we’re working our way through, that requires us to deeply consider the issue about recognition.”
Luxon declined to confirm whether an in-principle decision had been made, and walked off as journalists continued to press for a clear answer. Peters has similarly indicated that “new facts” and shifting international positions are influencing the timing of the decision.
The debate over Palestinian recognition has sparked significant public attention. Last weekend, tens of thousands of demonstrators marched through Auckland calling on the government to recognise Palestine and take action against Israel.
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