By John McCormick
WAIPUKURAU, New Zealand — Now that the membership of New Zealand’s Coalition Cabinet is known, there is reason for optimism that there will be a turn for the better in relations between New Zealand and Israel, which were soured last year when New Zealand voted for a United Nations Security Council condemning the Jewish State for its settlement policies and insisting on 1967 border for Israel unless Palestinians agree otherwise.
The head of the New Zealand First party, Winston Peters is the new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister as a result of a coalition agreement between his New Zealand First party and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s Labour party. His portfolio also includes administration of state-owned enterprises and, as mister of racing, oversight of horse and greyhound contests.
Peter’s deputy head of New Zealand First, Ron Mark is the new Defense and Veterans Minister. Peters and Mark are both long-standing members of Parliament’s Friends of Israel group (PFI).
Mark, previously of Royal NZ Army Engineers, was one of three officers sent to Israel in 1980 by Prime Minister Rob Muldoon to help set up bases for the Sinai Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in which New Zealand became a foundation member in 1982. Operations began that year on Anzac Day, April 25, with New Zealand sending Iroquois (known as Huey in the U.S.) helicopter crews and some headquarters staff. After Mark left the Army he did a stint with British forces in Oman. So, he comes to Government with first hand knowledge of Israel and the wider Middle East.
Significantly, both Peters and Mark are Maoris, the indigenous people of New Zealand. So too is Shane Jones, a former Labour Minister who has returned to Parliament under NZ First’s banner and will serve as Ministry of Forestry, Infrastructure and Regional Economic Development. Jones will bring great knowledge and experience to the job. Previously as a Labour MP he was a member of Parliament’s Friends of Israel group. Tracey Martin while not a member of the PFI is known as a keen supporter of Israel. She will have close contacts with Prime Minister Jacinda Adern as Minister of Children alongside her other portfolios of Internal Affairs and Seniors. NZ First’s other member of PFI is Darroch Ball from Palmerston North. His background includes military service. NZ First Parliamentary Under-Secretary Fletcher Tabuteau, while not a member of the PFI, has the portfolios of Foreign Affairs and Regional Development.
The only 2017 Election Manifesto to include any reference to Israel was that of New Zealand First. It referenced UNSC Res 2334, saying: “Oppose the National – Led Government’s sponsorship of UNSC 2334.” That Security Council resolution, in which the United States under the outgoing President Barack Obama notably abstained, demanded, among other provisions “that Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.” (Emphasis added).
The following clause appears in the NZ First Labour coalition Agreement. “Record a cabinet minute regarding the lack of process followed prior to the National – Led governments sponsorship of UNSC 2334.”
These two statements reflect Peter’s questions in the House of Representatives on the issue.
I think 2017 is the first time in years, if not decades, that Israel has been featured in a positive way in a Manifesto. Certainly its the first coalition agreement in which it is featured positively. Sources indicate to me that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to keep UNSC 2334 well and truly in the past and is keen to work to improve relations with Israel. Sources also indicate that the Trade and Innovation agreement held up since December 2016 and the election will most likely be signed in Jerusalem by the first Minister of the new government to visit Israel.
With three of four NZ First Ministers in the PFI group things look good for an improvement in relations with Israel. Peters as Minister of Foreign Affairs in Helen Clark’s Labour Government improved relations with the USA and had dealings with North Korea. Peters is a very big fan of Donald Trump, I think they will get along like a house on fire, with Peters’ knowledge of North Korea adding to the relationship in a timely manner. New Zealand First as a Party name has been around for about 25 years. “Make America Great Again” is new.
Peters is also a fan of Brexit. While in the UK before the referendum he addressed a gathering of UKIP. Peters will help build up a good post-Brexit relationship with Britain particularly in the trade field.
August 8th saw Massey University’s Centre of Defense and Security Studies present at parliament ‘a Pre Election Forum’ on “International Security, Defense and Trade.” MP’s were the speakers who addressed an audience which included 12 Ambassadors and 15 other diplomats representing about 20 nations in total. Chairman of the event Professor Rouben Azizian took three questions after the statements. I asked the second question about peace keeping in the Middle East reflecting on the fact that National has reduced the number of people from 25 to 14 deployed to the Sinai Peace Force. David Parker then Labour Foreign Affairs spokesman chose not to answer the question as did then Green MP Barry Coates but to attack me and Israel for opposing UNSC 2334. Parker was particular in attacking Bibi Netanyahu over the ‘going to war against NZ’ comment he is reported as saying.
All is not lost in the Labour party as the coalition agreement shows. I don’t know the Labour MP’s very well but Stuart Nash, Minister of Police, Fisheries ,Revenue and Small Business, is a well known supporter of Israel. The Green Party is not to be left out. Information published by the Israel Institute of New Zealand before the election shows the American-born UnderSecretary for Women Julie Anne Genter is a member of PFI. I expect to see America taking note of New Zealand First’s Manifesto and the Coalition statement on UNSC 2334. This to result in a visit to the White House and improved relations with America as a result of improvements in our relations with Israel.
2017 has seen Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visit President Trump for a one-on-one meeting. Former Prime Minister Bill English only got a ‘Call in if your going Past’ and he didn’t go past Washington. Israel’s Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu visited Australia but not New Zealand. Most world leaders save money and visit the two ANZAC countries on the same trip!!! Prime Minister Turnbull on an official visit here meeting in Queenstown about eight months ago tried to get Bill English to change his stance on UNSC 2334. Of course English declined.
New Zealand is the only Western European and other (English speaking) country that voted for Partition that does not have an Embassy in Israel. It took 50 years to get an Honorary Consul appointed resident in Tel Aviv. Is it too much to ask now that we formally put an Embassy in Israel? That would make the Americans happy.
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McCormick is chairman of the Hawkes Bay Province Friends of Israel, based in Waipukurau, and is a member of the New Zealand institute of International Affairs.
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McCormick is Chairman of the Hawkes Bay Province Friends of Israel, based in Waipukurau .