NZ Joins UK, France, and 22 Other Countries in Condemning Israel's Actions in Gaza

In a powerful show of international solidarity, 25 countries, including New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and numerous European nations, have issued a joint statement condemning Israel's actions in Gaza. The statement calls for an immediate end to the war, urging Israel to comply with international law and to allow the free flow of humanitarian aid into the region.

The statement, signed by the foreign ministers of countries such as New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Japan, highlights the “new depths” of civilian suffering in Gaza. It strongly condemns the “drip feeding of aid” and the “inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food.”

According to the Gaza Health Ministry and the UN human rights office, over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. The statement describes these deaths as “horrifying” and criticizes the Israeli government’s aid delivery model as “dangerous,” “fueling instability,” and “depriving Gazans of human dignity.”

The statement also calls out the Israeli government for its “denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population,” which is deemed “unacceptable.” It emphasizes that Israel must fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law.

Gaza’s population of over 2 million Palestinians is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with many displaced multiple times. The majority of food supplies allowed into Gaza go to the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor backed by Israel. However, witnesses and health officials report that hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in shootings by Israeli soldiers while traveling to aid sites.

The joint statement was signed by the foreign ministers of approximately 20 European countries, as well as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The European Union commissioner for equality, preparedness, and crisis management, Hadja Lahbib, also signed on. Notably, the United States and Germany were absent from the list of signatories.

Germany’s foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, expressed concern over the situation in Gaza and called for Israel to implement agreements with the EU to enable humanitarian aid. The signatories of the joint statement emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to peace in the region.

This statement from so many of Israel’s Western allies marks a significant escalation in international pressure, deepening Israel’s isolation 21 months into its war against Hamas. The conflict has pushed Gaza to the brink of famine, sparked global protests, and led to an international arrest warrant against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel has rejected criticism of its actions, claiming that its military has acted lawfully and blaming civilian deaths on Hamas, which operates in populated areas. It asserts that it has allowed enough food into Gaza to sustain the population and accuses Hamas of siphoning off much of the aid. However, the United Nations has stated there is no evidence of widespread diversion of humanitarian aid.

The war was triggered by Hamas militants storming southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 others hostage. Fifty remain in Gaza, but fewer than half are believed to be alive. Israel’s military offensive has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, with over half of the dead being women and children.

Despite ongoing ceasefire talks, no breakthrough has been reached, and it remains unclear whether any truce would bring lasting peace. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that expanding military operations in Gaza will pressure Hamas in negotiations.