Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have today announced the political wing of Hamas will be designated a terrorist entity.
The military wing had previously carried the designation, but following the October 7 attacks on Israel, which saw around 1200 people killed, then-Prime Minister Chris Hipkins asked for advice about the designation of the entirety of Hamas.
"What happened on 7 October reinforces we can no longer distinguish between the military and political wings of Hamas," Peters said.
"The organisation as a whole bears responsibility for these horrific terrorist attacks."
It means any assets of the terrorist entity in New Zealand are frozen, and makes it a criminal offence to carry out property or financial transactions with them or provide material support.
"New Zealand wants to be clear that the designation of Hamas is about the actions of an offshore terrorist entity and is not a reflection on the Palestinian people in Gaza and around the world," Luxon said.
It does not affect any private humanitarian support for Palestinian civilians, Luxon said, nor New Zealand providing humanitarian and future development assistance to Gaza.
Travel bans on extremist Israeli settlers
Also today, the pair announced travel bans on a number of extremist Israeli settlers who have committed violent attacks against Palestinians in the West Bank.
"New Zealand is seriously concerned by the significant increase in extremist violence perpetrated by Israeli settlers against Palestinian populations in recent months," Luxon said.
"This is particularly destabilising in what is already a major crisis."
Peters added: "Individuals responsible for perpetrating acts of violence are undermining peace, security and stability in this region.
"New Zealand's consistent position has been that Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories are a violation of international law.
"Settlements undermine the prospects for a viable two-state solution. Recent statements by some Israeli ministers about plans for further settlement construction are of serious concern and will raise tensions further between Israelis and Palestinians."
More Russia sanctions
Peters also announced further sanctions are being imposed amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
It includes:
- Implementation of the G7-plus price cap on Russian-origin oil
- Making explicit the prohibition on exporting restricted items to Russia and Belarus through third countries
- Designating 61 individuals and companies to counter evasion efforts.
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