New Zealand Parliamentary Debate

Ministerial Statements [4402]

But it is unfortunate that it takes an attack on a UN post really to wake up the world to what is going on in Israel and Lebanon. Almost 400 Lebanese and almost 40 Israelis have been killed, and much of Lebanon, particularly south Lebanon, has been levelled by Israeli attacks. It is quite clear that both Israel and Hezbollah are committing war crimes as defined in our own legislation passed in setting up the International Criminal Court and New Zealand's participation in it. Both sides are targeting civilian areas, with Israel's attacks clearly being the most destructive and, in fact, seeming to be collectively punishing the Lebanese nation for the actions of Hezbollah.

The Green Party endorses the Prime Minister's call for an immediate ceasefire. I think it is important to be even-handed and I am a little concerned that the Prime Minister says Hezbollah should stop its attacks, yet she asks Israel only to cease its disproportionate violence. We should be calling on Israel to stop all its attacks and stating that any ceasefire must be unconditional on both sides, if we are to work to a long-term resolution of the problems of the region, which includes a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that recognises the rights of the Palestinian people to their own State.

PETER BROWN( Deputy Leader-NZ First):

New Zealand First endorses 100 percent the comments of the Prime Minister. This war has gone on long enough. It is time it stopped and diplomacy, or discussion, took its place. It is time for those countries that have influence to use their influence to good effect. Innocent people are getting killed. Infrastructure is being destroyed for no sound reason. People are losing their livelihoods for no sound reason. Now is the time for talking.

This war must end. We must use every bit of influence we have to bring it to a conclusion before it destroys everything, including the reputations of those who should know better.

HONE HARAWIRA( Maori Party-Te Tai Tokerau):

Tena koe e te Kaikorero, tena tatou e te Whare. E tautoko ana te Pati Maori i nga korero a te Pirimia, kia takatakahia e nga mahi kohuru a nga Hurae. Me mutu nga mahi kohuru i nga tangata o Lebanon. He tuku aroha tenei mai i te Pati Maori ki nga whanau o ratou kua mate. Ehara tenei mahi te kohuru tangata i te mahi kia mahia ki a wai ranei, hakoa ko wai, hakoa no hea. E mea ana matou, kia u ki te aio ki nga whenua kei te mura o te ahi. Ko tenei mahi whakapahupahu pu kohuru tangata, he mahi kino. E mohio tuturu ana matou ki aua momo mahi. Kia ora tatou.

An interpretation in English was given to the House. Greetings to you, Madam Speaker, and to us in the House. The Maori Party endorses the Prime Minister's statement that acts of murder by the Jews should be stopped. Such acts against the people of Lebanon must cease. We send our condolences from the Maori Party to the families who have suffered losses. Murdering people is not condoned, regardless of whom it is inflicted upon, or where they are from. We say that peace should prevail in countries where war is occurring. Armed warfare in which people are murdered represents acts of violence. We are truly aware of the outcome of such actions. Greetings to us.

Hon PETER DUNNE( Leader-United Future):

United Future endorses the Prime Minister's statement of concern at the escalating violence in the Middle East that has culminated in the senseless killing of four UN peacekeepers in Khiam in southern Lebanon.

This horrific escalation that has exploded in recent weeks is a further reminder that there can be no lasting peace, or no lasting road map towards peace, in the Middle East until the provisions of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 are given credence, and the right of Israel and the Palestinians to live within secure and