This afternoon NZFOI was asked by TVNZ to comment on the restoration of diplomatic ties between NZ and Israel. Here are our notes from the interview:
Q: What is your reaction to the restoration of diplomatic ties between Israel and New Zealand?
A: The relationship between Israel and New Zealand is long and deep. Our country was one of the ones who voted for the establishment of Israel in the UN. Today our relationship spans many levels across business ties, diplomatic ties and social ties. Hundreds of Israelis travel through New Zealand every year to enjoy a welcome break after completing their compulsory military duty. Our country is a long way away from any conflict, it’s green and wet while theirs is often brown and dry. They come to enjoy our outdoors and many enjoy the hospitality of our homestays. Through them, many New Zealanders have developed long-standing friendships with Israelis. Re-establishing diplomatic ties means that our two governments can cooperate fully on the commemoration of the Sinai Palestine campaigns of World War I, where hundreds of our Anzac soldiers fought and gave their lives to bring freedom to that region. Now, their sacrifice can be honoured properly.
Q: Do you think that the resolution was the right thing to do and if not, what else could have been done?
A: There is no doubt that the resolution harmed the relationship between the two countries. However, it has made the issue front and centre in our relationship. We hear that the dispute has resulted in some rather robust discussions between our respective officials. Most probably, those discussions will have meant that both countries will have learnt more about each other and what each other thinks about the issue. We don’t know how much resources we have available as a small country to fully research the situation over there. But we suspect that there is a disconnect between New Zealand perceptions of what is going on there and the reality. Perhaps this dispute will mean that we will be prepared to commit more resources to send people over there to see first-hand the situation from both sides, being careful to maintain a detached neutrality. If that results in a better and deeper understanding of the situation and each other, then perhaps we will have moved the issue forward and perhaps help to bring about a sustainable solution.
Q: Does the letter expressing regret for the harm that the resolution has done to the relationship between the two countries, go far enough?
A: It is a beginning. Both nations have many common values. Both nations value democracy, freedom of information and speech, an independent media, the rule of law and equality under that law, and most of all, both countries desire justice. That has to be a good platform from which to work together on finding a solution to the settlements and the disputed territories. The relationship between Israel and New Zealand is long and deep. Our country was one of the ones who voted for the establishment of Israel in the UN. Today our relationship spans many levels across business ties, diplomatic ties and social ties. Hundreds of Israelis travel through New Zealand every year to enjoy a welcome break after completing their compulsory military duty. Our country is a long way away from any conflict, it’s green and wet while theirs is often brown and dry. They come to enjoy our outdoors and many enjoy the hospitality of our homestays. Through them, many New Zealanders have developed long-standing friendships with Israelis. Re-establishing diplomatic ties means that our two governments can cooperate fully on the commemoration of the Sinai Palestine campaigns of World War I, where hundreds of our ANZAC soldiers fought and gave their lives to bring freedom to that region. Now, their sacrifice can be honored properly.
It could be on the 6pm news tonight, but there are no guarantees how much of it or any of it at all, make it through the editing process.
“There is a disconnect between New Zealand perceptions and what is really going on there”,
diplomatically describes our politicians ignorance.
Well said.