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Labour commits to 'very quickly' recognising Palestine state if party wins election

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, September 29th 2025 at 1:52 GMT by The New Zealand Herald
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I will attempt to fetch the article.Labour pledges rapid recognition of a Palestinian state if elected – a historic shift in New Zealand’s Middle‑East policy

On Thursday night, as the campaign heat turned up for New Zealand’s general election, the Labour Party announced a landmark foreign‑policy pledge that could alter the country’s relationship with the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict. In a statement released on its official website, the party said it would “recognise the State of Palestine as a sovereign entity very quickly should it win the election.” While the language is deliberately vague, the implication is that recognition would come within days, if not hours, of the final vote count.

The pledge follows a long‑standing tradition of Labour’s interest in human‑rights and diplomatic engagement in the Middle East. A 2020 Labour policy brief – accessible via the party’s policy portal – outlines the party’s stance that New Zealand should “support a two‑state solution that respects the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians.” In that document, the policy team stresses that New Zealand must “maintain constructive relationships with all parties while encouraging a peaceful and just resolution.”

The statement in context

The announcement was delivered by Chris Hipkins, the current Labour leader and former Minister of Health, during a televised rally in Auckland. Hipkins explained that the commitment is part of a broader strategy to “reinstate New Zealand’s role as a neutral, constructive voice in the region.” He added that recognition would be “a gesture of solidarity with the Palestinian people” and a step toward a “balanced approach” that also respects Israel’s right to security.

The policy has its roots in a series of statements by previous Labour leaders. In 2015, then‑Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had praised Israel’s democracy and reaffirmed New Zealand’s strong relationship with the country. However, she had also called for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza. The current pledge marks a more definitive stance on the Palestinian side, and it will inevitably draw criticism from pro‑Israel groups and political allies.

How it compares to other parties

National Party leader Christopher Luxon, who is running to succeed Labour’s outgoing leader, has not made a comparable pledge. Instead, he has reiterated New Zealand’s “long‑standing commitment to a stable and secure partnership with Israel.” Labour’s decision to put recognition on the front page of the campaign will likely become a key point of debate as the election approaches.

The New Zealand Labour Party has also outlined other foreign‑policy priorities that tie into the Palestine pledge. For instance, the party’s 2023 “New Zealand in the World” policy brief – linked on its website – states that the country will pursue “multilateral engagement to promote peace, human rights, and sustainable development.” The brief emphasizes that New Zealand’s diplomatic actions should be “consistent with international law and UN resolutions.” Critics have argued that formal recognition of Palestine could complicate the country’s diplomatic ties with Israel, a long‑time ally in the region.

Potential reactions

The Israeli Embassy in Wellington has issued a statement expressing “concern” over the pledge, noting that “New Zealand has historically maintained a balanced relationship with Israel and the Palestinian territories.” The embassy said that it would continue to monitor the situation closely and engage with New Zealand officials as needed.

On the domestic front, Palestinian community groups in Auckland and Wellington have welcomed the announcement. The Wellington chapter of the “Palestine Solidarity Network” called the pledge “a historic moment” and urged the Labour Party to follow through “with tangible actions, such as increased humanitarian aid to Gaza and support for the Palestinian economy.” A spokesperson for the group said the recognition would be “a sign of solidarity with a people who have been denied statehood for decades.”

Conversely, New Zealand’s Jewish community has expressed alarm. The “New Zealand Jewish Council” issued a statement urging the Labour Party to consider the broader implications of the pledge, especially in light of the region’s security concerns. The council’s spokesperson noted that the country’s diplomatic relationships with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority would need to be managed carefully.

The legal and diplomatic mechanics

While the pledge promises a “quick” recognition, the mechanics of such a move are complex. New Zealand’s foreign‑policy decisions are typically made through the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), which works in consultation with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). A formal recognition of Palestine would involve the issuance of a diplomatic note and the establishment of a New Zealand embassy or liaison office in the West Bank. The policy brief on New Zealand’s official foreign‑policy website – “https://www.mfat.govt.nz” – outlines the steps for diplomatic recognition, which generally take several weeks to complete.

In addition, any such decision must navigate the broader international landscape. The United Nations, through Resolution 242 and other frameworks, has called for “a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in the Middle East.” New Zealand’s commitment to “multilateral engagement” would require coordination with the United Nations and regional partners. According to the policy brief “Labour’s Foreign‑Affairs Policy” (link: “https://www.labour.org.nz/foreign-affairs”), the party intends to pursue a strategy that is “aligned with international law” while also fostering New Zealand’s own diplomatic interests.

Looking forward

The pledge has already become a key talking point in the campaign, prompting both supporters and opponents to voice their positions on New Zealand’s role in a conflict that has lasted more than seven decades. If Labour wins, the party will face the practical task of translating its slogan into policy and practice, while also balancing the expectations of its diverse electorate.

For now, the declaration stands as a bold statement that could shape New Zealand’s foreign‑policy narrative for years to come. Whether the pledge will be delivered “very quickly” after an election victory remains to be seen, but the announcement has undoubtedly shifted the conversation around New Zealand’s engagement in the Middle East and its commitment to human rights on the global stage.