The caretaker convention's being blamed by the outgoing and incoming governments for their lack of comment on the situation in the Middle East.  

The convention applies when an outgoing administration is preparing to make way for an incoming one.  

Otago University International Relations Professor Robert Patman told Mike Hosking that what New Zealand says on the issue is important.  

He says as the crisis has unfolded and people have witnessed the disproportionate response of Israel, people are looking for a more qualified and nuanced response. 

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