Comment from the Federation of the Islamic Associations of New Zealand has been added to this article.
An Israeli minister has hit back at New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's comments that Benjamin Netanyahu has "lost the plot," accusing him of being unable to comprehend the challenges of facing Hamas.
Yesterday Luxon described the war in Gaza as "utterly, utterly appalling" and said Prime Minister Netanyahu was not listening to the international community.
"I think Netanyahu has gone way too far. I think he has lost the plot," Luxon said.
In a post on X, Israel's deputy minister of foreign affairs Sharren Haskel dismissed Luxon's concerns.
"I guess when you don't really need an army because your most deadly enemy is a possum or a cat, you wouldn't comprehend the challenges that come with facing Hamas - a jihadist death cult - only a few kms away from your country, that rape, execute, burn alive and starve your people," she wrote.
Yesterday's comments are the strongest the Prime Minister has used yet against Netanyahu, but Luxon said his language had been consistent.
"What you have seen is Israel not listening to the global community at all. We have asked for humanitarian assistance to be delivered unfettered. It hasn't happened," he said.
"We have said a forceable displacement of people and an annexation of Gaza would be a breach of international law. We have called these things out consistently, time and time again."
The coalition government is considering whether to recognise Palestinian statehood, ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month.
On Thursday, Luxon told reporters government parties were in agreement that Hamas could play no part in a new Palestinian state.
"That's an absolute must."
He pointed out he was the Prime Minister who designated Hamas as a terrorist organisation.
Luxon said the situation in Gaza had "plumbed new depths" and it was an "absolute catastrophe".
New Zealand didn't want to see any forced displacement of Gazans, he said, and "we don't want to see an annexation of Gaza."
Canada, Australia, France and the United Kingdom recently announced they would recognise, or plan to recognise, a Palestinian state.
The New Zealand Jewish Council said it was concerned that recognising a Palestinian state without a comprehensive negotiated peace agreement might risk entrenching instability.
President Juliet Moses said the council supported a two-state solution, but warned the government a "premature recognition" could undermine, rather than advance, the peace process.
"We acknowledge and welcome the government's stated support for the release of all Israeli hostages, the disarmament and removal from power of Hamas, and the normalisation of relations between Israel and the Palestinians. These are vital steps," Moses said.
"Recognising a Palestinian state without those conditions being met removes incentives for progress and does not explain what will happen if they are not achieved."
Islamic groups in New Zealand said the government needed to get on with recognising the state of Palestine.
The Federation of Islamic Associations (FIANZ) said in a new report that delaying recognition is not an option.
"We have arrived at a conclusion that New Zealand's continued delay in recognising the State of Palestine is inconsistent with our obligations under international law, our long-standing commitment to a two-state solution, and our humanitarian principles" the report said.
It noted New Zealand's partners in the Five eyes security alliance - the UK, Canada and Australia - had also recently announced they would recognise, or planned to recognise, a Palestinian state.
"Recognition would better position New Zealand as a credible actor in support of peace, while aligning our policy with the majority of the international community and with our Five Eyes partners' assessments of Israel's breaches of international law."
FIANZ said the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza needed the New Zealand government to take direct action.
"The scale of humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the West Bank has reached a point where humanitarian aid alone cannot address the crisis," it said.
"Recognition of Palestine would extend and invigorate the international response from the much needed and urgent short-term humanitarian relief to long-term political stabilisation."
The report said recognition of Palestine is both a moral imperative and a pragmatic step toward lasting peace.
