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
Pakistani army: 6 soldiers and 7 militants killed in clash near the Afghan border
Israeli media: Sirens sound in the settlement of Kerem Shalom in the Gaza envelope area
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City

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

With a 'wink', Israeli control over Google, Amazon cloud data exposed

IOF strikes violated Gaza ceasefire, Resistance will respond: Hamas

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

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025
What Marr evidently didn't seem to understand was that Hedges isn't saying that Western journalists manipulate the truth, but that they systematically amplify Israeli narratives they know are false. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Western journalists know they have a case to answer for their betrayal of Gaza, and it frightens them

  • Opinion
  • 24 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

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