New Zealand PM: I Did Not Apologize To Israel For UN Settlements Resolution

New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English. Image by Getty Images

By JTA June 14, 2017

(JTA) — New Zealand’s prime minister said his government still supports a United Nations Security Council resolution condemning Israel on settlement construction.

Prime Minister Bill English’s comments to the New Zealand Herald came one day after the two countries restored diplomatic ties and Israel agreed to return its ambassador.

In February, Israel permanently downgraded its diplomatic ties with New Zealand, which co-sponsored the anti-settlement resolution passed by the Security Council in December. The United States abstained on the measure.

Following monthlong discussions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone with English several days ago, according to a statement by the Israeli government released Tuesday. According to the statement, English told Netanyahu that “I regret the damage done to relations between New Zealand and Israel as a result of New Zealand’s co-sponsorship of UNSC resolution 2334.”

English told reporters that he did not apologize for the resolution or the country’s sponsorship of it.

“The resolution expressed longstanding and international policy and we stand by those positions. What we do express regret about was the fact that it disrupted our relationship with Israel,” he said, according to the Herald.

“Whether we agree with a country or don’t disagree with them, we certainly prefer to have diplomatic connection and it’s good that Israel has seen fit to restore their post in New Zealand.”

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO