New Zealand's Labour Party commits to recognizing Palestine
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New Zealand's Labour Party has taken a significant and globally resonant step by pledging to diplomatically recognize the state of Palestine should they come to power.
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New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins (right) and his deputy Carmel Sepuloni arrive for a press conference at Parliament in Wellington, on January 22, 2023. (AP)
In a notable step that resonates with international calls for a fair solution to the Palestinian issue, New Zealand's Labour Party has 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.
This support has faced growing challenges, primarily driven by the expansion of illegal Israeli settlements into the occupied Palestinian territories, an action deemed unlawful according to international law.
The ongoing Israeli violations of international law and the fundamental human rights of Palestinians have spurred a wide range of voices to call for the diplomatic acknowledgment of Palestine and the accountability of the Israeli occupation.
Prominent individuals advocating for such recognition emphasize the inherent right of the Palestinian people to determine their political, social, and economic status without the influence of foreign occupation, governance, or exploitation.
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.”
“We have faith that just as ordinary New Zealanders were not prepared to stand by in silence while the South African government maintained an apartheid regime, we will not be silent while Palestinians suffer similar indignities and will reward those politicians who are taking this courageous stance,” he added.
The declaration by the Labour Party represents a noteworthy progression in New Zealand's foreign policy position and harmonizes with global initiatives aimed at addressing the continuous Israeli occupation of Palestine.
Read next: Australia reinstates the use of 'Occupied Palestinian Territories'
