Israel-Hamas Conflict

What are New Zealand’s views on the Peace Plan for Gaza?

• New Zealand welcomes the Peace Plan for Gaza. It is an opportunity to end the conflict and move towards a lasting peace.
• We urge both sides to exercise restraint, to fulfill their commitments, and to focus on the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
• We hope the parties will continue to engage in good faith on the outstanding issues. Hamas must demilitarise and Israel must continue its phased withdrawal from Gaza.
• The peace plan has strong international backing and has been endorsed by the UN Security Council. We welcome the emerging discussions on international support for stability and reconstruction.
• We hope the peace plan will pave the way for a political agreement based on a two-state solution so that future generations of Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace.

Will New Zealand contribute to a stabilisation force in Gaza? 

• New Zealand has not made any decision about a potential contribution to the International Stabilisation Force. Any decision to contribute would be a matter for Cabinet.  
• One NZDF liaison officer has been deployed to the US-led Civil Military Coordination Centre in Israel in an information-gathering capacity until 2 February 2026. The information they gather will enable the Government to gain a better understanding of coordination efforts following the ceasefire in Gaza. 

How has New Zealand responded to the Israel-Hamas conflict?

• Since 7 October 2023, New Zealand has adopted a consistent and principled approach. We have: 
  • Condemned the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas in Israel on 7 October 2023. 
  • Urged Hamas to release hostages. 
  • Designated Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist entity. 
  • Called for a ceasefire in Gaza. 
  • Repeatedly emphasised that all parties must abide by their international legal obligations. 
  • Advocated for safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access, and the protection of humanitarian workers. 
  • Provided NZ$50.5 million to support humanitarian needs and stabilisation. 
  • Reiterated that the best path to peace is a two-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians can live side-by-side in peace and security. 
  • Urged regional partners to use their influence to de-escalate tensions and avoid a wider regional conflict. 
  • Opposed the establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. 
  • Announced travel bans against two extremist Israeli Ministers and 33 settlers. 
• New Zealand has advocated for these core principles through Prime Minister and Foreign Minister statements, through institutions such as the United Nations and in direct engagements with the parties.

Why is New Zealand taking action in response to the Israel-Hamas conflict?

• Rules matter to small states such as New Zealand. Having a principled voice and upholding international institutions in the UN system reinforces New Zealand’s support for the rules-based international system. 
• New Zealand is a responsible international citizen. Our ability to engage on matters of international importance impacts our credibility as a principled partner, including when we are advocating on matters of direct importance for New Zealand in our own region. 
• While the Middle East is far away geographically from New Zealand, instability in one part of the world has direct impacts for us as a small trading nation in an interconnected world.
• New Zealanders care about what is happening in the world. There is domestic interest in New Zealand’s position on the conflict in Gaza.

Does New Zealand consider Israel to be an occupying power?

• New Zealand considers Israel to have been occupying Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights since 1967. 
• As the Occupying Power, Israel must uphold its humanitarian obligations to the civilian population of the occupied Palestinian territories. 
• This includes the obligation to provide basic needs for civilians including food, water, energy, and shelter, and to facilitate humanitarian aid. Israel must also uphold relevant international human rights obligations.
• In addition, there are other specific obligations and prohibitions, namely:
  
  • The strict prohibition on transferring the Israeli population into the occupied Palestinian territories.
  • The strict prohibition on forcible transfer of the Palestinian population, while allowing for temporary evacuation for military operations.
  • The obligation to respect private property.
  • The destruction of property is prohibited except where rendered absolutely necessary for military operations.

What is New Zealand’s position on Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories? 

• New Zealand has consistently opposed the establishment of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and has long held the view that the settlements are illegal under international law.

What has New Zealand done to support the humanitarian response to the Israel-Hamas conflict?

• New Zealand is committed to supporting the humanitarian response to the Israel-Hamas conflict. 
• We have advocated strongly for safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian access at all levels, including directly with Israel.  
• New Zealand has provided NZ$50.5 million to address urgent humanitarian needs and stabilisation since 7 October 2023. This includes contributions of: 
  
  • NZ$20.5 million to the World Food Programme (WFP). 
  • NZ$14 million to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). 
  • NZ$7 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
  • NZ$2 million to the United Nations 2720 Mechanism for Gaza (the Kaag Mechanism). New Zealand’s contribution to the 2720 Mechanism for Gaza is a targeted contribution to efforts to prioritise, accelerate and maximise the impact of aid flows into Gaza to help meet urgent needs. 
  • NZ$6 million to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS). 
    NZ$1 million to the Office of the Quartet.  
• We continue to monitor the humanitarian crisis and consider how New Zealand can best support the response. 

How do you ensure aid reaches civilians in need and is not diverted elsewhere?

• New Zealand supports international humanitarian agencies that have a demonstrated ability to deliver at scale and in complex environments like Gaza. These agencies have strong systems and controls to prevent and guard against diversion and pursue any reports of diversion or misappropriation. 
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not received information indicating widespread diversion of aid in Gaza. The possibility of the diversion of aid remains a key risk in all humanitarian settings, especially in conflict settings, that we cannot fully discount. 
• New Zealand has called on Israel to enable the conditions for the restoration of local law and order throughout Gaza and to meet its obligations in the protection of aid convoys.

Has New Zealand-funded aid been subject to looting, diversion, or misuse of funds? 

• A small amount of emergency food purchased by the UN using New Zealand funds was looted from a warehouse in Gaza in January 2024. We expect further aid funded by New Zealand will have been looted given the scale of the humanitarian crisis and number of looting incidents reported prior to the current ceasefire. 
• We have not been advised of any incidents where New Zealand-funded aid was diverted. 
• We continue to have confidence in the systems of the agencies we fund to prevent and guard against diversion; and pursue any reports of diversion or misappropriation.  

How is New Zealand supporting the Palestinian Authority? 

• New Zealand is committed to supporting the Palestinian Authority and has committed NZ$7 million towards activities which directly contribute to strengthening its capabilities. 
• This includes NZ$1 million over the current financial year to support the Office of the Quartet in the West Bank and Gaza. The OQ works with the Palestinian Authority to increase Palestinian economic and institutional capability as a support towards Palestinian statehood. 
• We have also committed NZ$6 million over the next two financial years to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in the West Bank and Gaza. UNMAS delivers mine safety coordination, ordnance removal, and community education. These are essential for immediate protection and longer-term recovery. 
• UNMAS’ work in the West Bank also includes capacity-building support to the Palestinian Authority-managed Palestinian Mine Action Centre, which it helped to establish in 2012. 

What is New Zealand contributing to the reconstruction of Gaza? 

• Our focus is on the very urgent and practical challenge of getting as much humanitarian assistance as possible into Gaza.
• The NZ$6 million commitment to the core operations of UNMAS in the West Bank and Gaza will increase UNMAS’s capacity to respond to clear contaminated areas to allow reconstruction to proceed safely, educate communities on managing the risks of unexploded ordinance, and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid entering the territory. 
• We will continue to call for humanitarian aid to be surged in, without restriction and delivered by principled humanitarian actors.
• We will continue to be clear with Israel that it must protect civilians, humanitarian personnel, and medical workers.

How can New Zealanders support the humanitarian response? 

• New Zealanders wishing to support the humanitarian response to the conflict may wish to donate to an appeal from a humanitarian organisation working on the ground, including the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, United Nations agencies or non-governmental organisations. These organisations are experienced humanitarian responders and have robust systems to aid civilians in need. 
• For further information on how you can support humanitarian responses, please see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s online guidance.

What is New Zealand’s position on UNRWA?

• New Zealand has supported UNRWA since its establishment in 1949. 
• In the absence of a two-state solution, UNRWA has a mandate to meet the humanitarian and development needs of Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the occupied Palestinian territories. 
• Since 2004, New Zealand has contributed approximately NZ$28 million UNRWA (a combination of core funding and support to emergency appeals). 
• New Zealand provided NZ$1 million to UNRWA in the 2023/24 financial year. This supported their 2024 calendar year operations.  
• Decisions on future support for UNRWA will be subject to advice and consideration by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. This advice will include consideration of UNRWA’s performance, and its adherence to UN values and humanitarian principles such as neutrality. 
• The ICJ did not uphold Israel’s claims that UNRWA lacked neutrality in its Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025.  

What are New Zealand’s views on the allegations that UNRWA staff participated in the 7 October 2023 terrorist attacks?

• New Zealand takes the allegations very seriously. We have consistently encouraged Israel to provide detailed evidence to the UN to back up its allegations against UNRWA. 
• We assess the UN’s response to these allegations to be swift and credible. 
• New Zealand has made our expectation clear that UNRWA should respond promptly and appropriately to any allegations of breaches of humanitarian principles or UN values, including neutrality. We have received assurances in this regard.  

Did New Zealand pause funding for UNRWA in response to the January 2024 allegations that UNRWA employees participated in the 7 October 2023 terror attacks? 

• New Zealand did not pause or suspend funding. Our NZ$1 million annual payment was disbursed as planned in 2024. 
• Disbursement followed careful consideration of UNRWA’s adherence to neutrality and UN values; the UN’s response to the allegations (including external and internal investigations); and discussions with other donors to UNRWA. It also reflected assurances received from the UN Secretary-General about remedial work underway to further enhance UNRWA’s adherence to neutrality.

What are New Zealand’s views on Israeli legislation undermining UNRWA and banning UNRWA from operating in Israel? 

• We are deeply concerned about the passage of Israeli legislation limiting UNRWA’s ability to operate. We have raised these concerns directly with Israel. 
• UNRWA’s mandate has been agreed by UN Member States. New Zealand does not want to see Member States of the United Nations obstructing UN Agencies from doing their job. The UN system must be allowed to do the job given to it by UN Member States.

International humanitarian law 

• New Zealand’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict has been consistently grounded in the upholding of international law, including international humanitarian law, alongside New Zealand’s broader foreign policy. 
• We have repeatedly advocated for all parties to abide by their obligations under international law. Under international humanitarian law: 
  • The taking of civilian hostages is prohibited. 
  • Directly targeting civilians is prohibited. 
  • Indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian objects are prohibited. 
  • Collective punishment is prohibited. 

International Court of Justice: South Africa v Israel

What is New Zealand’s position on South Africa v Israel?

• New Zealand is a long-standing supporter of the international legal system. We support the work of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to settle legal disputes between states, including disputes concerning the Genocide Convention.
• New Zealand’s position on South Africa’s case against Israel is clear: since the start of the conflict New Zealand has consistently called on all parties to comply with international law. 
• The case has two stages:
  
  • The ICJ made provisional measures orders on 26 January, 28 March, and 24 May 2024. The provisional measures require Israel, amongst other things, to take all measures within its powers to prevent conduct that may constitute genocide and to enable the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian assistance. The Court’s orders are binding, and New Zealand has been clear that it is New Zealand’s expectation that Israel adhere to them.
  • The second part of the case is on the substance of the very serious claims of genocide. The gravity of such allegations means the Court is likely to take time to consider the facts. It would be inappropriate for New Zealand to pre-judge the Court’s decisions, including on very serious allegations such as genocide.

Will New Zealand intervene in South Africa v Israel?

• The government has not yet made a decision on whether it will intervene in South Africa v Israel. The case is at an early stage and is likely to take several years. New Zealand rarely intervenes in disputes between States in the ICJ.

Does New Zealand think Israel is committing a genocide in Gaza? 

• The question of whether Israel has committed a genocide remains before the International Court of Justice in South Africa v Israel. 
• The ICJ has not yet made a ruling on the substance of the very serious claims of genocide. 
• The ICJ has been clear in its advisory opinions that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. New Zealand shares that view. 
• We have made it clear that what we are seeing in Gaza is horrifying and unacceptable. 

Is New Zealand complicit in genocide? 

• No. The Government takes its international obligations, including under the Genocide Convention, very seriously. 
• New Zealand has complied with its legal obligations at all times. We have consistently emphasised the importance of international law, and New Zealand’s expectation that the parties to the conflict will comply fully and immediately with their obligations.  

Advisory Opinion on the Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem – 19 July 2024

What is New Zealand’s position on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024?

• This Advisory Opinion is primarily about the legality of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
• The Court found that Israel’s continued occupation violates various rules of international law and Israel must withdraw from the occupied Palestinian territories as rapidly as possible.
• The Court also concluded that Israel must immediately cease all new settlement activities, remove all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territories and make reparations for the damage caused.
• The Court’s conclusions are consistent with New Zealand’s long-standing positions, including that settlements are unlawful under international law.

What is New Zealand doing to implement UN General Assembly Resolution 79/233, which endorsed the Advisory Opinion? 

• Resolution 79/233 calls on states not to recognise the legality of the occupation and urges states not to render aid or assistance that would maintain the situation. 
• It does not impose obligations on New Zealand beyond those already existing under international law. 
• New Zealand has been consistently clear that Israel must uphold its legal obligations and must respect the independent and impartial decisions of international courts. New Zealand has also been clear that Israel’s settlements are unlawful, and that settlement expansion undermines a two-state solution.  
• We have established a travel ban regime against extremist Israeli settlers, and our voting record at the United Nations makes clear our support for the right of Palestinians to self-determination as well as our support for a two-state solution. 
• New Zealand has complied with our obligations under international law at all times.  

Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of Israel in relation to the Presence and Activities of the United Nations, Other International Organisations and Third States in and in relation to the occupied Palestinian territories – 22 October 2025 

What is New Zealand’s position on the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion of 22 October 2025? 

• This Advisory Opinion responds to concerns about Israel impeding humanitarian access in the occupied Palestinian territories, Israel’s actions towards UNRWA, and the closure of the Norwegian diplomatic office in the West Bank. 
• The ICJ found that Israel – as the occupying power - has substantial legal obligations to the population of Gaza under international humanitarian law.   
• The obligations include facilitating the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza by the UN (and other international agencies) to ensure the basic needs of Palestinian civilians are met. Those needs include food, water, clothing, shelter, fuel, and medical supplies. 
• The Court’s findings align with New Zealand’s longstanding positions, including in relation to the status of UN agencies, and Israel’s responsibilities as an occupying power. We expect Israel to comply with them and to uphold its obligations under international law. 

International Criminal Court    

Have war crimes been committed in the Israel-Hamas conflict?

• New Zealand supports international efforts to investigate possible war crimes and for those responsible to be held criminally accountable.
• Whether war crimes have been committed requires a decision from a competent judicial body such as the independent International Criminal Court (ICC).
• The ICC has the responsibility to investigate allegations of serious international crimes. New Zealand supports the Court’s mandate, including investigations of allegations of serious international crimes such as in Gaza, and its critical role in upholding the international rules-based system.
• On 20 May 2024 the ICC Prosecutor applied to the International Criminal Court for warrants of arrest against senior Israeli and Hamas leaders.
• On 21 November 2024 the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant and Hamas military Commander Deif for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Court found there are reasonable grounds to believe that they bear criminal responsibility for those crimes. 
• It is widely assumed that Deif is deceased. 

What is New Zealand’s position on the arrest warrants issued against senior Israeli and Hamas leaders?

• The ICC decision means that its judges consider there is a case to answer. We will not comment on the merits while the matter is before the Court.

Would New Zealand comply with an ICC-issued arrest warrant?

• New Zealand has consistently supported the ICC’s role in upholding international law, including allegations of crimes in Gaza. 
• New Zealand, like all parties to the Rome Statute, has legal obligations to the Court.

What is New Zealand’s position on reports of torture, abuse, and sexual violence taking place during the conflict?

• The allegations of torture, abuse and sexual violence are horrific. 
• International law expressly forbids torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment. 
• We expect all parties to comply with their international legal obligations. 

Will New Zealand recognise a Palestinian state?

• There should be a Palestinian state and we want to see Israelis and Palestinians living peacefully side-by-side. 
• New Zealand has, for decades, advocated for and resolutely supported a two-state solution and the Palestinian right to self-determination. The overwhelming majority of the international community is also in favour of this. 
• Our longstanding policy is that recognition of a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if.  
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs announced at the UN General Assembly in New York on 26 September 2025 that New Zealand will not be recognising the State of Palestine at this time.
• New Zealand opposes all actions by Hamas and Israel designed to prevent a political solution to the conflict and to undermine the viability of a Palestinian state. 

Why is New Zealand not recognising Palestinian statehood at this time? 

• The Minister of Foreign Affairs has set out the rationale for the New Zealand Government’s decision. The rationale is that too many questions remain about the future State of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to recognise now. There is a lack of clarity regarding future governance arrangements in Gaza and the West Bank, particularly around the role of Hamas.
• Our concern is not with the Palestinian Authority, which faces very difficult circumstances. New Zealand has a good relationship with the Palestinian Authority, and we look forward to seeing it continue to make progress in its reform efforts.
• We would prefer to use our future recognition of Palestinian statehood to reward positive steps taken in the direction of a negotiated agreement.

What does New Zealand need to see in order to recognise the State of Palestine? 

• The Minister has stated that New Zealand’s future decision-making around recognition will be driven by developments in the situation. New Zealand will pay attention to:
  • Steps toward the development of a fully viable and legitimate Palestinian state including in the areas of governance and institution-building.
  • The release by Hamas of all the hostages it holds, followed by the group’s disbanding and disarmament. Almost all hostages have now been released.
  • The renouncement of violence and terrorism by all Palestinian political leaders who have yet to do so.
• New Zealand will also continue to call for Israel to stop and reverse all actions and policies aimed at undermining the two-state solution, including illegal settlements in the West Bank, and to return to meaningful negotiation with the Palestinians.

Why hasn’t New Zealand recognised when Australia, Canada, and the UK have? 

• There are a broad range of strongly held views on this issue among the international community. Some of our close partners have chosen to recognise Palestine, while others have not.
• The Minister of Foreign Affairs has stated that New Zealand has taken its own decision in line with New Zealand’s own principles and national interest and that this is the essence of an independent foreign policy.

Why did the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s advice differ from Cabinet’s decision on recognition? 

• The Ministry's role on the recognition question was to give free and frank advice in the lead-up to the UN General Assembly in September 2025, where it was a focus for discussion. 
• The Ministry’s advice set out the pros and cons of three options (recognition, recognition with conditions, and non-recognition). The Ministry recommended that New Zealand recognise Palestine, alongside partners, as a step towards preserving the two-state solution, achieving a ceasefire, and restarting the peace process.  
• Sometimes Ministers agree with advice from officials, and sometimes they do not. The question of recognition was always going to be a political decision made by Cabinet. 
• Cabinet material and the Ministry’s advice relating to the question of recognition have been proactively released. The Cabinet material can be viewed here, and the Ministry’s advice can be viewed here. 

Does New Zealand make formal declaration of recognition of states?

• New Zealand has a long-standing policy of generally not making formal declarations of recognition of states. Instead, recognition is to be inferred by the nature and level of New Zealand’s dealings with the entity in question.

How many times have the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials met with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and community groups since 7 October 2023?

• Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have engaged regularly with a diverse range of groups on the Israel-Hamas conflict since 7 October 2023. We continue to meet regularly, including at senior official level.   
• We are unable to compile an exhaustive list of all interactions, as this happens as part of regular diplomatic engagement.

Will New Zealand suspend diplomatic relations with Israel and expel the Ambassador of Israel to New Zealand?

• No. New Zealand has long used open dialogue with other states as a core feature of advancing New Zealand’s foreign policy. Maintaining diplomatic channels of communication with Israel, including via Israel’s Ambassador and other Embassy officials in Wellington, is important as it affords the opportunity to convey New Zealand’s positions and to engage with Israel directly and frankly. 
• Senior New Zealand officials have met with the Ambassador of Israel to New Zealand many times since October 2023, including to register our position and concerns on the conflict in Gaza and the West Bank, and the situation in the region.
• Expulsion of an Ambassador and closure of any embassy would be counter-productive to the aim of diplomatic engagement. The Government does not agree that we should only deal with countries that are aligned with our positions, even when those disagreements are severe and go to issues of human rights and international law violations. Effective engagement is a vital part of our response to events in Gaza and the region more broadly. 

Will New Zealand impose sanctions on Israel? 

• New Zealand has established a travel ban regime against extremist Israeli Ministers and settlers who have undermined stability in the West Bank. See a list of the individuals covered by these bans.
• We will continue to act deliberately and alongside partners when we see actions that undermine international law and regional stability.
• New Zealand can impose sanctions in two ways: through the domestic implementation of sanctions as mandated by resolution of the United Nations Security Council; or targeted sanctions under the Russia Sanctions Act in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
• New Zealand does not have legislation enabling the imposition of other autonomous sanctions.

Why did New Zealand impose travel bans on Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir? 

• Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have both personally promoted extremist rhetoric. They have called for Palestinians to be driven from their homes and promoted illegal settlements. And they have encouraged violence and human rights abuses.
• New Zealand is gravely concerned by this escalation. The behaviour of these Ministers is designed to prevent the formation of a Palestinian state.
• This action was targeted. It was not against the Israeli people, who suffered immeasurably on 7 October 2023 and who continue to suffer.

What is the purpose of travel bans when these individuals are unlikely to come to New Zealand?  

• We have sent an important message to these Ministers and settlers that they are not welcome to New Zealand because of their actions.
• It matters that we have coordinated with partners like UK, Australia, Norway, and Canada to deliver this. When done in concert it shows that there are consequences for these extremist actions.

Why hasn’t New Zealand placed sanctions on Prime Minister Netanyahu or other Israeli politicians? 

• Ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have clearly and actively incited violence, and the expansion of illegal settlements, through their personal actions and rhetoric.  
• The sanctions are directly linked to the two ministers’ actions in support of settlement activity in the West Bank, which New Zealand has long held to be illegal under international law, reinforced by the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion in 2024 on 19 July 2024.  
• Travel bans are not designed to sanction the wider Israeli Government. 

Will New Zealand issue humanitarian visas for Palestinians in Gaza who have family in New Zealand?

• New Zealand's immigration policy is covered by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, through Immigration New Zealand.
• Information can also be found on the Parliament website.

Does New Zealand decline visas for Israeli soldiers?

• Immigration New Zealand has not enacted any new policies for processing visitor visa applications for Israeli nationals. 
• Israel is a visa waiver country, and travellers need to complete New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) declarations to enter New Zealand. This has not changed. Israelis can apply for visitor visas if they are visiting for longer than three months.
• Military service in the Israeli Defence Force is not grounds alone to decline visa applications.
• A visitor visa for applicants can be declined for several reasons. This is true for applicants of any nationality. Military service is not grounds alone to decline visa applications. 
• Further information can be found on the Immigration New Zealand website, including this press release.

What does a terrorist designation do?

• Designating a terrorist entity is one of the ways New Zealand contributes to the international campaign against terrorism. 
• A designation under New Zealand legislation freezes any assets of the terrorist entity in New Zealand. It makes it a criminal offence to carry out property or financial transactions with them or provide material support.

Does this affect support for New Zealanders to families or organisations in Gaza?

• This decision does not affect New Zealanders’ ability to support humanitarian or development efforts in Gaza.
• New Zealand will continue to provide humanitarian and development support to civilians in need in Gaza through credible and reputable international organisations.
• New Zealanders who want to send money in support of affected Palestinian civilians in Gaza are encouraged to donate via reputable and credible international humanitarian and development organisations (e.g. United Nations agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement or international NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières). Donations to these organisations would not constitute an offence under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002.

Can New Zealand businesses export to Israel?

• There is no prohibition on exports to Israel.
• Exports of military goods, dual use goods, or goods to military end users from New Zealand are subject to New Zealand’s export controls regime.
• Export applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis against the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Export Controls criteria.

Does New Zealand export weapons to the Israeli Defence Force?  

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has not approved the export of military goods, dual use goods, or other goods for use by the Israel Defence Force or Israeli Security Services since the electronic Export Controls database was established in 2006.

Will New Zealand ban trade with Israel?

• New Zealand businesses can make their own decisions about trading with Israel at a time when we are deeply concerned with their actions in Gaza.

Does New Zealand distinguish between goods and services produced by Israel and those produced in illegal settlements, as agreed to in UN Security Council Resolution 2334? 

• New Zealand distinguishes in the dealings of the New Zealand state between Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.
• In addition, New Zealand controls imports and exports of certain military and dual-use goods, software, and technology, and chemicals. The Customs and Excise Act 2018 also imposes restrictions on the importation of prohibited goods.

How many New Zealanders are serving or have served with the Israeli Defence Force in Gaza?

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade does not collect information on New Zealanders serving in foreign militaries.

What would happen if a New Zealander fought with Hamas? 

• New Zealand has clear laws. It is an offence to provide material support to a terrorist group under the Terrorism Suppression Act. New Zealand can prosecute international crimes committed outside of New Zealand under the International Crimes and International Criminal Court Act.

What has New Zealand’s consular response to the Israel-Hamas conflict involved? 

• At the outbreak of the conflict, we assisted a number of New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders to depart from Israel on commercial flights. New Zealand authorities also worked with the Israeli and Egyptian authorities to support a number of New Zealanders wishing to leave Gaza at the outbreak of the conflict.   
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also made consular deployments in support of these efforts, including to Tel Aviv, Cairo, the Rafah border crossing, and Cyprus. We have undertaken significant further consular contingency planning and continue to work closely with international partners to align our consular responses. 
• When necessary, our embassies in Ankara and Cairo have been in direct and regular contact with New Zealanders in the region to confirm their plans and to provide consular advice and support. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also sent regular messages to SafeTravel registrants and provided up-to-date information on our Safe Travel website.

What is New Zealand doing about nationals participating in flotillas to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza? 

• New Zealand has a long-standing 'do not travel' advisory in place for Gaza. The advisory explicitly warns New Zealanders against any attempt to enter Gaza by sea in breach of Israeli navy restrictions, including participation in flotillas to deliver aid. 
• The safety of New Zealanders is paramount. We expect any New Zealanders participating in flotillas to be treated in a manner consistent with international law and have communicated this directly to Israel.  
• Consular support is available to New Zealanders if they request assistance. Details of the assistance we can provide is found on SafeTravel. 
• While we would always provide consular support to New Zealanders arrested and charged with criminal offending overseas, we cannot advocate for special treatment, or the release of New Zealanders imprisoned overseas. Individuals will be subject to local law enforcement and the legal system.  
• Additionally, if New Zealanders are detained on national security grounds anywhere, this can complicate and delay our ability to provide consular assistance.