New Zealand Prime Minister: Netanyahu Has "Lost His Mind" and Gaza Offensive Is "Completely Unacceptable"

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivered a sharp and direct criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, stating that he believes Netanyahu has "lost his mind." These strong comments come as New Zealand's government is actively considering whether to recognize a Palestinian state.

Luxon described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as "absolutely appalling," citing the lack of aid, the forced displacement of the population, and the ongoing efforts to annex the territory. He added that Netanyahu has "gone too far," emphasizing that "what we are seeing overnight, the attack on Gaza City, is completely unacceptable."

The New Zealand government's position is part of a growing international movement towards recognizing a Palestinian state. Earlier this week, Luxon announced that his center-right coalition government was reviewing this possibility. On Monday, New Zealand's close ally, Australia, joined Canada, the UK, and France in announcing their intention to recognize a Palestinian state at the upcoming UN meetings in September. This collective push signals increasing international pressure on Israel to halt its military operations in Gaza and acknowledge the rights of the Palestinian people.