New Zealand Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Manatū Aorere
28 February 2023
195 Lambton Quay
Private Bag 18−901
Wellington 6160
New Zealand
Ali Anwar
T +64 4 439 8000
[FYI request #21668 email]
F +64 4 472 9596
OIA 28497
Tēnā koe Ali Anwar
I refer to your email of 30 January 2023 in which you request the following under the Official
Information Act 1982 (OIA):
On 27 January zionist terrorists conducted thrill-killings throughout Jenin refugee
camp, successfully slaughtering an elderly women, successfully wounding many
children, and murdering eight brave men who stood up to defended their people
against the zionists. On 28 January, a soldier of the government of Palestine,
democratically elected in the last free and fair elections of 2006 before further
elections were blocked by the zionist entity and its PA puppets, successfully carried
out a counterterrorist action against illegal occupational forces in an illegal
settlement in response to the ritual slaughter of the Jenin nine.
MFAT issued statements repeatedly blaming the victims of zionist terrorism for their
murder by zionists, while pretending that measured military responses by the sole
indigenous and legitimate population of the land of Palestine were unprovoked
'terrorism':
https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/1618870929018482688
https://twitter.com/MFATNZ/status/1619268433073565697
I am requesting all information held by MFAT in regards the production of these two
incredibly disgusting statements that support zionist terrorism, including
communications with other ministries or external individuals or groups.
Per section 16(1)(e) of the OIA, we have elected to provide a summary response to your
request for information. Please find our response below.
All public-facing statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry),
including those on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are prepared and go through appropriate
levels of approval including review by senior officials.
We can confirm no communication with other Ministries or external parties took place during the
production of these messages.
We also take this opportunity to refute your characterisation of the Ministry’s public statements
as “blaming the victims of Zionist terrorism for their murder by Zionists etc.” Aotearoa
New Zealand abhors all violence and any civilian deaths that result from that violence. We also
e [MFAT request email]
w www.mfat.govt.nz
Page 2 of 2
consistently condemn all terrorism. This approach is based on international law and
international humanitarian law.
New Zealand continues to pursue a principles-based approach to the Middle East Peace Process,
including support for a two-state solution to the conflict. This is the best path for a durable and
lasting peace in the region.
If you have any questions about this decision, you can contact us by email at:
[email address]. You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the
Ombudsman of this decision by contacting
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone
0800 802 602.
Nāku noa, nā
Sarah Corbett
for Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade