Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh but faces criticism from people who believe her comments don't go far enough.
Abu Akleh was shot dead while reporting from the West Bank of the occupied Palestinian territory on May 11 (local time). Al Jazeera described it as "a blatant murder", saying "the Israeli occupation forces assassinated [her] in cold blood".
Days later at her funeral - in plain view of news media - Israeli forces attacked mourners and physically beat the pallbearers, causing them to almost drop her casket.
In a tweet, Mahuta said: "Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply saddened by the death of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin and the violence at her funeral."
"We call for an independent, transparent and thorough investigation into the circumstances of her death," she added.
Newshub asked Mahuta's office if she would go further and condemn Abu Akleh's killing, but we were referred to the minister's tweet.
Twitter users have weighed in on the comments with some pointing to them being days late.
"Far too late and far too passive," one wrote.
"Six days after the death and four days after the funeral and still the laziest weasel words," another tweeted.
"Inexcusable use of the passive voice. Who was violent at her funeral? The authorities," added another.
A fourth said: "For a start most people I know are deeply angered as well as saddened by her assassination. Sometimes diplomacy is not appropriate and appears to be pleasing the perpetrators. Why can't you just say it as it was? We will back you."
In 2018, then Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker used strong language including the word "condemn" when they released a statement following the killing of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
"The New Zealand Government continues to condemn in the strongest possible terms the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives," the Ministers said.
The United States ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield "strongly condemned" Abu Akleh's death on Twitter.
"I strongly condemn the death of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh - who I had the chance to meet in Ramallah last November, and I send my deepest condolences to her family."
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price condemned her death too.
"We are heartbroken by and strongly condemn the killing of American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in the West Bank."
Foreign Ministries in Egypt, Kuwait, Afghanistan and Pakistan have also condemned her killing.
