New Zealand has officially designated the Palestinian group Hamas as a terrorist entity, extending its previous designation of Hamas's military wing to encompass the entire organization.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, in a statement on Thursday, emphasized that this decision was prompted by the "brutal" attacks orchestrated by Hamas on Israel in October, condemning them "unequivocally".
The country also imposed travel bans on "extremist" Israeli settlers that it said had committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.
Luxon clarified that while New Zealand condemns the actions of Hamas, this designation is not a reflection on the broader Palestinian population, highlighting the distinction between the organization and the Palestinian people in Gaza and the world over.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters underscored the difficulty in differentiating between Hamas's military and political wings, asserting that the entire organization bears responsibility for the October attacks.
In response to the designation, New Zealand has criminalized property or financial transactions with Hamas and frozen any assets the organization may have within the country. However, the government maintains its commitment to providing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and offering consular support to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents in the conflict zone.
Prime Minister Luxon also expressed grave concern over the surge in extremist violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in recent months. This violence, he stated, exacerbates an already precarious situation and undermines efforts towards peace and stability in the region.
New Zealand's stance aligns with its longstanding position that Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territories violate international law. The government reiterated its support for a future Palestinian state as part of a negotiated two-state solution, emphasizing the urgent need to end the current conflict and resume efforts towards peace in the Middle East.
