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
Russian agency: Russia will conduct a nuclear test if the US does
Al-Nakhalah: We are the rightful owners, and we must fight to retrieve our rights
Al-Nakhalah: The enemy and its allies must know that we can never surrender to their terms and diktats after all the sacrifices made
Al-Nakhalah: The prisoner exchange clause can be completed in the next few days, and thus we will have pulled the [explosion] fuse and removed the enemy's justifications for aggression
Al-Nakhalah: The Resistance has expressed its willingness to negotiate on the basis that there are items that can be dealt with positively, the first of which is the prisoner exchange item
Al-Nakhalah: Trump's plan entails the Palestinian people's declaration of complete surrender to the enemy
PIJ Secretary-General, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, in an address aired on Al Mayadeen: The Resistance is engaging in a fierce negotiating battle under the so-called Trump plan
Russian Federation Council approves joint military cooperation agreement with Cuba
Al-Nunu: Today, the lists of prisoners required to be released, the agreed-upon criteria and numbers, were exchanged
Al-Nunu from Sharm el-Sheikh: Negotiations focused on mechanisms for implementing an end to the war, the withdrawal of occupation forces from the Gaza Strip, and the exchange of prisoners

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

Every 2 days, 13 Palestinians amputated, 6 paralyzed or blinded

Lists of prisoners to be released exchanged: Hamas on ceasefire talks

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

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
ap

'Israel' pays influencers $7K per post to whitewash Gaza genocide

  • Politics
  • 1 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Retired Israeli General Brik says Israel has reached point of no return.
Politics

Retired Israeli General Brik: 'Israel has reached point of no return'

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation
Politics

Depleted by foreign wars, US seeks to re-arm for another confrontation

Gaza’s newborns gasp for life as hospitals collapse amid Israeli war
Health

Gaza newborns gasp for life, share oxygen masks amid collapsed system

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls
Politics

UK arms exports to 'Israel' reach record high despite ban calls

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