New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Wednesday (Aug 13) criticised Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he had “lost the plot” as Wellington considers recognising a Palestinian state.
Speaking to reporters, Luxon condemned the lack of humanitarian aid, forced displacement of civilians and the annexation of Gaza, calling these actions “utterly appalling” and saying Netanyahu had gone “way too far.”
“What we are seeing overnight — the attack on Gaza City — is utterly, utterly unacceptable,” said Luxon, who leads the centre-right coalition government.
Earlier this week, Luxon confirmed New Zealand was weighing the recognition of a Palestinian state. On Monday, close ally Australia announced it would join Canada, the UK and France in taking that step at a UN conference in September.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached “unimaginable levels,” Britain, Canada, Australia and several European partners said on Tuesday, urging Israel to allow unrestricted aid into the territory. Israel has denied responsibility for food shortages, accusing Hamas of stealing aid — an allegation Hamas rejects.
Before Wednesday’s parliamentary session, a small group of protesters gathered outside parliament, banging pots and pans and chanting, “MPs grow a spine, recognise Palestine,” local media outlet Stuff reported.
On Tuesday, Green Party MP Chloe Swarbrick was ejected from the debating chamber after refusing to apologise for implying government MPs were “spineless” for not backing a bill to sanction Israel over alleged war crimes. She was ordered to leave again on Wednesday for the same reason, and when she refused, parliament voted to suspend her.
“Sixty-eight members of this House were accused of being spineless,” House Speaker Gerry Brownlee said. “There has never been a time where personal insults like that have been accepted here, and I’m not going to start now.”
As she left, Swarbrick shouted, “Free Palestine.”
Source: Reuters
