
笔谤颈尘别听惭颈苍颈蝉迟别谤听Christopher听Luxon听and Foreign Minister Winston Peters听have announced today the designation of Hamas in its entirety as a terrorist entity.
鈥淭he terrorist attacks by Hamas in October 2023 were brutal and we have unequivocally condemned them,鈥 Mr Luxon听says.听
Following these attacks, then 笔谤颈尘别听惭颈苍颈蝉迟别谤 Chris听Hipkins听commissioned advice from officials about designating the entirety of Hamas - which has now been received.听
Mr Peters says New听Zealand has designated the military wing of Hamas as a terrorist entity since 2010.
"But what happened听on 7 October听reinforces听we can no longer distinguish between the military and political wings of Hamas. The organisation as a whole bears responsibility for these horrific terrorist attacks."
A designation under New Zealand legislation freezes any assets of the terrorist entity in New听Zealand. It also makes it a criminal offence to carry out property or financial transactions with听them or听provide material support.
鈥淣ew Zealand wants to be clear that the designation of Hamas is about the actions of an offshore terrorist听entity and听is not a reflection听on the Palestinian people in Gaza and around the world,鈥 Mr Luxon says.
鈥淭his designation targets Hamas, not the provision of private humanitarian support to Palestinian civilians. Similarly,听the designation does not stop New听Zealand providing humanitarian听and future development听assistance to听benefit听civilians in Gaza, nor does it stop us providing consular support to New听Zealand citizens or permanent residents in the conflict zone.鈥
Mr Peters says, 鈥淲e remain gravely concerned about the impact of this conflict on civilians and will continue to call for an end to the violence and听an urgent resumption of the Middle East Peace Process.听
"A lasting solution to the conflict will only be achieved by peaceful means.鈥
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