ARDERN ON GAZA: BETTER LATE THAN NEVER?

Jacinda Ardern has finally had something to say about Gaza. 

 

TWO YEARS after Israel began its barbaric assault on Gaza, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has finally been moved to comment. Buried in the second to last paragraph in her column for the Guardian, Ardern comments:

'...There is a path to stopping the genocide still happening daily before us: more countries must recognise Palestinian statehood; any cooperation that facilitates military action must end; humanitarian aid needs to urgently reach the trapped and starving; and medical care must be available for the injured, the malnourished, and for the expectant and new mothers.'

Why has it taken so long for Ardern to speak out? While her supporters will inevitably praise her for displaying the political and moral clarity that the present New Zealand Government lacks, that would be praise that she doesn't really deserve.

Throughout her political career, Ardern has demonstrated a reluctance to take a bold stand on any issue until the political climate renders it safe to do so. Ardern has never been one to rock the status quo.

Her comments on Gaza come at a time when global sentiment among the political elites is shifting. More countries are recognising Palestinian statehood, and international outrage over Israel's actions in Gaza is intensifying. Ardern might be hailed for her moral clarity by her uncritical supporters, but that moral clarity comes at a time when it carries no political cost and will be unlikely to impact on her career.  By waiting until the chorus of condemnation has grown louder, Ardern has avoided the risk of annoying the politically powerful that may be useful to her in the future.  

Ardern has demonstrated no leadership on Gaza. This is especially galling since she has carefully and deliberately built her 'brand' on empathy and progressive values. Yet when confronted by one of the most pressing human crises of our time, she has remained silent for two years. 

In the social media, some are saying that Ardern's comments are better late than never. This is far too generous an interpretation and lets her off the hook again. The truth is that Jacinda Ardern has invariably waited for a safe consensus to emerge before speaking truth to power.  And in matters of genocide, silence—even temporary—is complicity.