Foreign Minister Winston Peters said New Zealand will not move to recognise a Palestinian state for now, though he stressed the country’s continued support for a two-state solution.

“With a war raging, Hamas remaining the de facto government of Gaza, and no clarity on next steps, too many questions remain about the future state of Palestine for it to be prudent for New Zealand to announce recognition at this time,” Peters said in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Friday.

“We are also concerned that a focus on recognition, in the current circumstances, could complicate efforts to secure a ceasefire by pushing Israel and Hamas into even more intransigent positions,” Peters added.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon emphasized that recognition is a

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