Wellington, Aug 14: New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Wednesday accused Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu of having “lost the plot” and condemned Israel’s planned occupation of Gaza City as “utterly unacceptable,” as pressure mounts on Wellington to recognise a Palestinian state.
Luxon, whose centre-right coalition has yet to join other Five Eyes partners Australia, Britain and Canada in pledging recognition, said Netanyahu was ignoring global calls to allow “unfettered” humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“I think Netanyahu has gone too far. I think he has lost the plot,” Luxon told reporters. “What we are seeing overnight with the attack on Gaza City is utterly, utterly unacceptable.” Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Israel’s intensified air strikes and planned military takeover of Gaza City could force up to a million people to flee, drawing condemnation from foreign governments. Luxon said any forced displacement or annexation of Gaza would breach international law.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health says at least 227 people – including 103 children – have died from malnutrition since the war began. Aid agencies warn famine is looming, with foreign ministers from dozens of countries this week demanding Israel open Gaza to more humanitarian assistance.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday said Netanyahu was “in denial” about the human cost of the conflict, after Canberra announced plans to recognise a Palestinian state at next month’s U.N. General Assembly. French President Emmanuel Macron has made a similar pledge, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the demilitarisation of Hamas.
Luxon said New Zealand would decide within a month whether to follow suit, a position that has drawn sharp domestic criticism. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark described the delay as “humiliating,” while Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was expelled from parliament on Wednesday after refusing to apologise for urging government MPs to “grow a spine” and sanction Israel.
