New Zealand Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has delivered his sharpest criticism yet of Israel’s leadership, declaring on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost the plot” and condemning plans to seize control of Gaza City as “utterly unacceptable.”
Luxon’s remarks come amid growing global outrage over Israel’s expansion of its military campaign, restrictions on humanitarian aid, and reports of mass starvation in Gaza.
His conservative coalition is now weighing whether to align with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, Australia, Britain, and Canada, who are moving toward recognizing a Palestinian state.
“I think Netanyahu has gone too far. I think he has lost the plot. And I think what we are seeing overnight with the attack on Gaza City is utterly, utterly unacceptable,” Luxon said, stressing that Netanyahu is “not listening” to calls for “unfettered” humanitarian access.
The Israeli leader’s proposed military takeover is expected to displace up to a million people and has drawn condemnation from foreign governments and aid organizations. Luxon underscored that such action would violate international law.
“We have said a forcible displacement of people and an annexation of Gaza would be a breach of international law,” he said.
Conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting at least 227 deaths from malnutrition since the war began, including 103 children.
On Tuesday, foreign ministers from dozens of nations warned that “famine is unfolding before our eyes” and urged Israel to allow greater humanitarian access.
Luxon’s remarks follow similar criticism from other leaders. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking on Tuesday, said Netanyahu was “in denial” about the human cost of the war.
“He (Netanyahu) again reiterated to me what he has said publicly as well, which is to be in denial about the consequences that are occurring for innocent people,” Albanese told ABC.
Australia announced earlier this week it would back Palestinian statehood recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September, joining France in pledging such support. New Zealand remains the only Five Eyes member besides the United States not to commit.
French President Emmanuel Macron has also renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access, the release of hostages, and the demilitarization of Hamas, saying, “The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and to rescue the civilian population.”
Luxon said on Monday that New Zealand will review its stance on Palestinian recognition in the coming month, a move critics say lacks urgency.
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark accused the government of inaction, telling RNZ, “We now really seem to stand for nothing except you know, somehow wanting to save our own skin in a tariff war. I think it’s really quite a humiliating position for New Zealand to be in.”
The debate has also intensified in Parliament, where Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was ejected on Wednesday after refusing to withdraw comments urging government MPs to support sanctions against Israel.
“If we find six of 68 government MPs (members of Parliament) with a spine, we can stand on the right side of history,” she said.