Luxon responds to claims La'auli snubbed him, says Samoa treaty 'not priority for us at this time'

Labor’s foreign affairs spokesperson Vanushi Walters has demanded answers from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon regarding New Zealand’s stance on Israel’s admission into the Pacific Islands Forum. The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that Israel has joined the Forum as a development partner, a decision finalized during a meeting in Palau last month where regional leaders recognized the nation as a new partner. Walters stated that Luxon faces serious questions about how the situation developed and what specific steps New Zealand took to object to the inclusion. She argued that if her party were in government, it would have opposed Israel’s entry into the regional body. Luxon attended the Palau meeting where the decision was made. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister declared that his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, would face arrest if he traveled to New Zealand. This statement followed the International Criminal Court’s recent issuance of arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other senior cabinet members. Despite this position, Luxon noted that Israel’s entry into the Forum ecosystem remained ultimately a decision for the Forum itself. He characterized the partnership status as lower tier compared to full membership. A Pacific politics expert indicated that Israel’s participation at next year’s PIF summit, which is scheduled to take place in New Zealand, remains uncertain. This uncertainty stems from the active arrest warrants held against senior Israeli politicians. Luxon clarified that attendance at the upcoming summit would likely occur at an official level rather than at the head of state level. New Zealand has already issued a travel ban targeting certain Israeli leaders, complicating potential high-level visits. The Israeli government has increased its diplomatic focus on the Pacific region over the past several years, securing support from multiple Pacific nations. With its new status, Israel is obligated to engage actively with the region on development priorities. These areas include water management, desalination, agriculture, and climate change adaptation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that Israel will participate in the Forum’s Sectoral Partnership Stream to enable focused cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The ministry also referenced a broader agreement between Israel and the PIF that outlines key goals and establishes mechanisms to measure progress toward them. The PIF Secretariat has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the new partnership. Recent diplomatic shifts in the region highlight changing alignments. Three Pacific countries recently announced plans to open embassies in Jerusalem: Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Nauru. Other Pacific nations are considering similar moves. These decisions align with a small group of countries that recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, a status that remains disputed between Israelis and Palestinians due to the city’s significance in the conflict. Meanwhile, tensions exist between New Zealand and Samoa regarding their principal bilateral agreement. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon denied reports that he sought to update the Treaty of Friendship with Samoa before the upcoming general election. His Samoan counterpart, Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt, reportedly claimed the opposite. The Samoa Observer reported that La’auli deferred talks with Luxon until after the New Zealand election, scheduled for November 7. La’auli stated that while Luxon wanted to proceed with the treaty updates, he refused, insisting that negotiations wait until the new New Zealand government is established. Luxon told reporters on Monday that no such conversation had taken place this year and that he had not sought any discussion with La’auli prior to the election. He described the treaty review as not a priority for New Zealand at this time, suggesting they could discuss it next year. Luxon expressed his desire to deepen the connection with Samoa and cited a strong personal friendship with La’auli. He mentioned speaking with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, noting that their view was that media reports contained inaccuracies and that New Zealand did not initiate conversations about the treaty this year. The Treaty of Friendship, signed in August 1962 after Samoa gained independence from New Zealand, serves as the foundation for the bilateral relationship. La’auli stated he is currently preparing proposals to refresh and refine the relationship under the existing treaty framework. Last week, at a function in Apia organized by former National Party member and New Zealand-based businessman Arthur Anae, La’auli revealed that he had instructed Luxon to wait until the election was fully concluded. Anae has become a leading campaigner for immigration reform for Pacific Islanders, specifically advocating for visa-on-arrival changes for Samoans in New Zealand. This is not the first instance of conflicting accounts between the two leaders. In March, following Luxon’s visit to Samoa, La’auli told local media that the New Zealand government had requested a matai title for its leader, a claim Luxon subsequently denied. During that March visit, Luxon was bestowed the chiefly title of Tuisinavemaulumoto’otua from the village of Apia. The two leaders also signed memorandums of understanding for police and customs cooperation aimed at combating transnational crime. A joint press release from July, when the leaders last met at the Beehive, confirmed they had discussed the treaty and acknowledged its age, with further discussions expected after the New Zealand election. Separate from these diplomatic matters, political friction continues over images linking political figures to organized crime. A resurfaced photograph involving Prime Minister Luxon has sparked controversy, described as part of an ongoing exchange between gang members. Opposition leader Jacinda Ardern’s successor, Adam Thomson, or potentially another opposition figure depending on current leadership dynamics, though the source specifically cites Hipkins condemning Luxon’s double standards. Wait, Source 5 specifies Hipkins condemning Luxon. David Seymour, the ACT leader, offered a different perspective on the Israel issue, extending a warm Pacific welcome to Israel. He remarked that having another democratic country in the Forum is positive, even if geographically challenging, comparing it to Britain’s attempt to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership. This contrast in reaction underscores the divided political landscape in New Zealand regarding both regional diplomacy and domestic social issues. The New Zealand government maintains that its actions are guided by strategic interests, while critics point to inconsistencies in policy application across different international and domestic contexts. The coming weeks will see continued debate as the election approaches and diplomatic engagements resume post-election.