As Kanjin Tor puts it, this is awkward:

Our Queen is indeed New Zealand’s Head of State – but does that mean we must go to war with a country that declares war on that country?

Sadly, no.

The only binding legal agreement to support a Commonwealth country at war is with Canada – and that’s because both the UK and Canada are in Nato.

The UK has a defence agreement with Australia, also.

And the UK is in the Five Powers Defence Arrangement, along with Australia and New Zealand – but that is about defending Malaysia and Singapore.

However:

The UK has a history in which it helps defend or stabilise Commonwealth countries, and has even assisted countries that are not in the Commonwealth but are former colonies.

What’s interesting now is whether Benjamin Netanyahu follows through on his threat. What will the pro-Israel lobby do, knowing that the UK has a de facto obligation to stand up for New Zealand, if not a legally-binding one?

Israel could do its cause more harm than good.

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