The Government's announcement that it will "formally consider" Palestinian statehood in September simply continues to delay any meaningful action.
"If the Government believes what it says about a two-state solution, it can and must recognise Palestine statehood, immediately," says Green Party co-leader, Chlöe Swarbrick.
"Palestinians cannot eat empty statements.
"Aotearoa has a proud history of standing up for human rights and justice, even when powerful allies disagree. Most UN member states already recognise Palestine.
"The Greens put forward a motion in Parliament to do this in 2021. National and ACT voted it down. Four years later, those same parties are tying their own hands to do the most basic things.
"The bare minimum New Zealanders should expect from their representatives is to put substance behind words. Last September, Aotearoa stood with 123 UN Member States to support a resolution calling for sanctions against those responsible for 'unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in relation to settler violence.'
"The Greens have drafted a Bill to sanction Israel. The only thing in the way of this law passing, right now, is identifying just six out of 68 Government members willing to stand on the right side of history.
"Palestine needs our action. The people of this country have been mobilising every week for two years demanding it. Luxon's Government can and must act - they are the only thing standing in their own way," says Chlöe Swarbrick.
