Hamas “highly appreciates” New Zealand’s handling of the Israeli passport scandal: Hamas hails Clark’s stand against Israel. (Hat tip: Joel G.)

New Zealand’s left-leaning Stuff news portal can barely contain their pleasure over this development, even seeking out a “religious terrorism expert” to inform us that by getting on Hamas’ good side, New Zealand has made their troops in Iraq safer.

New Zealand has an unexpected friend in Hamas, a militant Islamic group feared in the Western world, which has thanked this country for its diplomatic slap to Israel over the spy passport scandal.

Word of Hamas’ endorsement will spread quickly throughout the Islamic world and will bolster the safety of Kiwi troops working in Iraq, according to Victoria University religious terrorism expert Jim Veitch.

Citing a statement from the Hamas stronghold of Gaza, the Islamic resistance movement’s website says Hamas “has highly appreciated the daring position of the New Zealand Government against the Zionist entity”.

Professor Veitch said: “To do something like that almost offers (Kiwi troops) protection. Groups inside Iraq are really picking off the partners the United States has… Maybe New Zealand has offered itself some sort of protection.”

Prime Minister Helen Clark delivered a stinging rebuke to Israel over its refusal to apologise for, or explain the actions of, two suspected spies convicted of trying to obtain a false New Zealand passport.

The actions of Uriel Kelman and Eli Cara were a deliberate breach of New Zealand’s sovereignty, she said, before unleashing a barrage of diplomatic sanctions and suspending high-level visits to and from Israel.

Hamas said her response was a model for all countries to follow, citing New Zealand’s “stand in adopting firm measures against the Zionist entity’s violations of laws on foreign lands to achieve certain targets”.