The Green Party is calling on the coalition Government to recognise Palestinian statehood after several other countries made the move.
The Irish, Spanish and Norwegian Governments all declared their intentions to recognise Palestinian statehood in a carefully choreographed move that followed weeks of discussions.
Now Green Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Teanau Tuiono is calling for New Zealand's Government to follow in their footsteps.
"This is about rectifying the wrongs of the past, resolving the injustices of the present and laying the foundations for a future which sees Palestine grounded in peace," Tuiono said.
"Day after day, the death toll continues to rise. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza shows that urgent international action is needed to create a pathway to lasting peace."
He said the New Zealand Government "can and must do more to ensure this conflict comes to an end and a sustainable ceasefire is secured".
"Recognising Palestinian statehood and following the lead of Ireland, Spain and Norway is a step in the right direction," Tuiono added.
"In 2021, the Green Party tabled a motion in the house to recognise and support the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and statehood.
"We will continue to make this call alongside immediate action to help the people of Gaza through establishing a humanitarian visa and increasing aid funding for UNRWA.
"Aotearoa must hold strong to our long history of working for peace internationally. We must stand up for what is right."
The Party's statement comes days after former Shortland Street actor Will Alexander started a hunger strike in protest of Aotearoa's response to the war.
Alexander, who played police constable Bell in the iconic show, began his hunger strike during a Christchurch rally in support of Palestine on Sunday.
He said he can "no longer stand by while my own government is complicit in an ongoing genocide committed by Israel against the Palestinian people".
"Innocent children are being killed in the thousands. Israel has violated international law for decades with full impunity granted by Western governments like New Zealand," the actor said in a press release.
He also made three demands of the New Zealand Government including withdrawing our troops from the Red Sea, stopping NZ company Rakon from supplying components for weapons used by Israel and resuming and then doubling humanitarian funding for UNRWA (The United Nations Relief and Works Agency).
Alexander went on to directly call the Prime Minister out saying, "Christopher Luxon is choosing to send support for more bombs while freezing aid for starving Palestinians. It's a disgrace".
But speaking with AM co-host Lloyd Burr on Tuesday, Luxon defended his response.
He added it's "a real shame" Alexander feels the need to go on a hunger strike.
"I think that's a real shame that he feels that's his course of action because I am actually very proud of the New Zealand Government's response," Luxon told Burr.
"I think we have been incredibly sensible and constructive, and we've actually been calling for peace in that situation for some time and it's a chance for me to say what we actually have done because I do want people to understand it."
The Prime Minister said the Government has been calling for a ceasefire for months along with calling on Hamas to release hostages and calling on Israel to adhere to international law and open up access to aid.
"We've also lifted our own humanitarian assistance by $17 million beyond the UNRWA $1 million that we typically donate each year and that has been to the Red Cross and the world food programmes.
"We've also been calling for peace and stability in the region and we supported the Palestinian State having enhanced participation in the United Nations just a couple of weekends ago."
Luxon said he thinks New Zealand has been "very consistent in our position".
"We've done that individually as a country but also in concert with Canada and also Australia at times."
Luxon said he believes the Government has stood up for and articulated New Zealand's values incredibly well during the conflict.
"I think the things he's [Alexander] referenced, there might be some misunderstanding or an incorrect understanding of actually the issues and what we actually have done.
"We have increased aid into the region very strongly, we have called for peace and negotiations, and we have very strong export controls around defence companies selling defence things into places.
"I think we've done the right thing," he concluded.
