The UN Security Council has held an emergency meeting on Wednesday morning (NZ time) following violent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli security forces at the Gaza border.
The number of people killed in the riots has risen to at least 60.
Protests began after the US embassy was officially opened in Jerusalem on Monday (local time). It was the highest Palestinian single-day death toll since the 2014 Gaza war.
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Tens of thousands of protesters had gathered at the frontier to protest, but Israel had vowed not to let them cross the border and many were shot and killed.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the "devastating one-sided loss of life" following the protests.
"It is the right of any nation to defend their border, but this is a devastating one-sided loss of life," she said.
"We would condemn the violence that has occurred, and I think it's plain to see that the effects of this decision and the ramifications are wide-reaching."
Simon Bridges said he was unable to comment about whether or not Israel's use of force against the protesters was proportionate.
"Let's call for restraint on both sides given where we're at. But there's no doubt, the US Embassy there in Jerusalem has inflamed things and it's a less safe situation than it was," he said on Tuesday.
Newshub.
