Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.

New Zealand motions for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 7 Dec 2023 12:43
4 Min Read

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister calls on all parties involved in the Israeli war on Gaza, including countries that have political influence in the region, to “take urgent steps towards establishing a ceasefire."

  • x
  • In this Oct. 4, 2019, file photo, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters listens during a press conference (AP)
    In this Oct. 4, 2019, file photo, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters listens during a press conference (AP)

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, has called on all parties involved in the Israeli war on Gaza, including countries that have political influence in the region, to “take urgent steps towards establishing a ceasefire."

Peters, who is also the minister of foreign affairs of New Zealand, proposed a motion on Thursday asking the parliament to acknowledge the ongoing genocide in Gaza, which allows members and political parties to debate it.

"Express grave concern at the ongoing violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territories, unequivocally condemn the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October 2023 and call for the release of all hostages, call on all parties involved in the conflict as well as all countries with influence in the region take urgent steps towards establishing a ceasefire, recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself in accordance with international law, and that all civilians be protected from armed conflict, affirm that a lasting solution to the conflict will only be achieved by peaceful means and that action to revive the Middle East Peace Process is critical," the motion said.

Throughout the debate, Damien O’Connor, Labor’s associate foreign affairs spokesperson, said that what is going on in Gaza is “nothing more than a genocide” and sought an amendment to the motion that called for an immediate ceasefire instead of "steps toward". 

Marama Davidson, co-leader of the Green Party, backed O'connor's request and added that claiming "Israel" was acting in "self-defense" was simply "grotesque".

Te Pāti Māori, a political party in New Zealand, supported the motion, but questions were raised concerning the steps the government would take to ensure the establishment of the ceasefire by co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer. 

Related News

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: Reports

Israeli report shows 20,000 soldiers wounded, rising care crisis

pic.twitter.com/sH2AxgF0FH

— New Zealand Labour (@nzlabour) December 7, 2023

The request for amendments was rejected by the governing parties, aside from Labour’s Phil Twyford, who advocated for “a just and lasting peace that recognizes the existence and self-determination of Israelis and Palestinians." The party also called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with recognized and clear borders and the insurance of safety and equal rights for all citizens. 

Read more: UN official says ‘apocalyptic’ situation in southern Gaza blocking aid

New Zealand recognizes Palestine

In October, and in a notable step that resonates with international calls for a fair solution to the Palestinian cause, New Zealand's Labour Party declared its commitment to granting diplomatic recognition to the state of Palestine in the event of winning an election. This promise has received backing from advocacy organizations such as Justice for Palestine and Alternative Jewish Voices.

The Labour Party's dedication involves extending an invitation to the head of the General Delegation of Palestine, enabling them to present their credentials as an Ambassador to New Zealand. This move would align New Zealand with the prevailing sentiment at the United Nations, where 139 out of 193 member states have already acknowledged Palestine's sovereignty. It's worth noting that countries recognized for their autonomous and principled foreign policies, like Sweden and Iceland, have adopted comparable actions.

Marilyn Garson, a member of Alternative Jewish Voices, underscored the significance of the historical backdrop, saying, “Remember that Palestine predates Israel. We welcome Labour’s commitment to let Palestine speak with its own diplomatic voice about its own future. That’s a prerequisite for any solution grounded in the rights of all who live between the river and the sea.”

Neil Ballantyne, who speaks on behalf of Justice for Palestine, conveyed his support for the Labour Party's position. He highlighted its congruence with the Green Party's dedication to recognizing Palestine in the event of an election victory. He remarked, “In doing so, they are continuing Aotearoa New Zealand’s tradition of taking independent and principled stances on foreign policy issues, from nuclear disarmament to standing up against apartheid.”

Read more: Almost 2 million forcibly displaced in Gaza since Oct. 7: UNRWA

  • Gaza Strip
  • Occupied Palestine
  • Operation Al-Aqsa Flood
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Israeli occupation
  • New Zealand
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Elon Musk attends a news conference with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Elon Musk calls for dissolving UK parliament at London far-right rally

Israeli media: US betrayed Qatar, gave green light for attack on Hamas
Politics

Israeli media: US betrayed Qatar, gave green light for attack on Hamas

Leaked memo shows Trump eyeing Louisiana National Guard plan
Politics

Leaked memo shows Trump eyeing Louisiana National Guard plan

Mamdani vows to arrest Netanyahu if elected New York mayor
Politics

Mamdani vows to arrest Netanyahu if elected New York mayor

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS