The government says it is time to "refocus" its foreign policy priorities closer to home in the Pacific, as the world marks two years since the 7 October attacks.
It comes as Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters told reporters he wished he had been home last night when a man smashed his front window in with a crow bar.
Peters condemned Hamas' "heinous terrorist attacks" in a ministerial statement to the House this afternoon.
"That event set off what must seem to most New Zealanders like yet another of the seemingly never-ending cycles of violence in that region," he said.
"We have strongly condemned the overwhelming nature of Israel's military response as Palestinian civilians have paid a disproportionate price for the sins of Hamas."
Peters said the coalition had just reiterated its calls for a ceasefire, the release of all hostages and the unimpeded flow of aid at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
"We also said that we desperately want diplomacy to succeed and that those countries with leverage were most likely to achieve the longed-for breakthrough.
"We are encouraged that the United States-led peace plan - supported by Muslim countries around the world, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UAE, Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar and Egypt - represents a possible first step to achieving these goals."
Peters said New Zealand continued to provide aid for those suffering in the conflict.
"Most New Zealanders, while rightly appalled at scenes of violence and famine in Gaza, understand that we have limited ability to influence the direction of the conflict.
"But we can provide aid to those suffering, which we have done and continue to do, working through those agencies that can get the aid to where it is most needed."
"Other New Zealanders have expressed the concern that by not recognising Palestinian statehood, New Zealand's international reputation will suffer.
"Well, we can report that we have not received criticism from partners or from other countries, near to or far from the Middle East."
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says protest action forms part of the democratic fabric of NZ, but only if it respects the law. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
'Do you have no shame?' - Peters on protesters
Peters directly addressed the protest flotilla and last night's attack on his home in his statement.
He said protest action that followed the government's our National Statement in New York formed part of the democratic fabric of New Zealand, but only if it respected the laws of the land.
"Now, three New Zealanders are being held by the Israeli government, awaiting deportation.
"These people, having gone against their government's advice not to join the flotilla and attempt to reach Gaza by sea, are receiving ongoing consular assistance.
"That assistance will not stop and we have asked for as much notice from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs about their deportation as is possible."
He said it was ironic the protesters and their supporters who believed New Zealand must break off diplomatic relations with Israel were now receiving consular assistance because relations were still in place.
"Another irony is that three private individuals freely chose to place themselves in a dangerous situation, but now expect their government to bail them out.
"We will do exactly that, not least because the government feels a sense of responsibility even for those who act utterly irresponsibly."
He said the violent targeting of politicians' private homes by some protesters was a disgrace.
"It has caused distress to our families and disturbed the peace of our neighbours. Means such as these corrupt the protesters' ends, such as they are."
"And we must call out those members of this House who collude and collaborate with the very protesters targeting politicians' homes.
"Do you have no shame? Do you feel so morally righteous that you and your supporters are justified to break any law, any taboo, any political norm? Shame on you."
'Time to refocus on our foreign policy priorities'
Peters said New Zealanders understood the limits of New Zealand's ability to influence the direction of Middle East politics and supported giving aid to those who need it.
"Finally, we believe that in New Zealand the extremes on both sides of this never-ending conflict have fallen into a black hole of irrationality and senselessness. It's time to wake up, look at the situation with eyes wide open and gain a sense of perspective."
He said it was time for the government to refocus its foreign policy priorities closer to home in the Pacific.
"Those extremists, including those in this House, are entitled to go off the deep end, and preen hysterically and monomaniacally about a single conflict overseas while many others rage in other parts of the world. They are entitled to do that because we live in a free society.
"But, for the New Zealand government, it is time to refocus on our foreign policy priorities, closer to home in the Pacific and the Indo-Pacific - always dedicated to making New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.
"Because, every day spent on Gaza and Palestinian statehood recognition, or flotillas, is a day not spent on that important work on behalf of all New Zealanders."
Opposition parties weigh in
Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson Peeni Henare condemned the 7 October attacks and criticised the government for not recognising Palestine.
"This government talks about process, about considering options, about waiting for the right time, but while the Prime Minister and his government hesitates, countless innocents are being maimed and killed, and families are being driven from their homes," he said.
Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson Peeni Henare. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson acknowledged "the humanity" in those killed in the 7 October attacks but said withholding formal recognition rewarded Israel.
"The minister, in his speech, spoke about not recognising Palestine in fear of not rewarding the actions of Hamas and yet, straight after he did not recognise Palestine, the Israel officials were celebrating as if it was a reward for their genocide."
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer said her party lamented for those traumatised in Hamas' attacks, but said the conflict had started well before 7 October.
"I think we have to remind ourselves what happened 75 years ago when Palestinian land was taken when houses were destroyed, when people were displaced, and their self determination, their mana motuhake was denied."
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