The Green Party is calling on the Government to recognise Palestine as a state, following a long list of countries doing so.
"History will judge Aotearoa if we fail to do what is right at this pivotal moment," says the Green Party's co-leader Marama Davidson.
"It's time for the Government to make a clear stand for human rights and for justice, and recognise Palestine as a state.
"Aotearoa must stand for peace and for human rights. New Zealand must act in response to Israel's violent occupation of Gaza and the starvation of thousands of Palestinians.
"The crisis in Gaza and ongoing atrocities in the West Bank make clear that a long-term settlement is contingent on Palestinian statehood being recognised and upheld by the international community.
"The 'New York Declaration' from the ongoing United Nations Conference on the Two State Solution calls for all states to recognise Palestine as an essential and indispensable component to achieve lasting peace.
"New Zealand has long prided itself on standing for peace in the international community. Unfortunately, that reputation is being eroded. We are now one of just 43 states that do not, or have no plan to, recognise Palestinian statehood.
"We have had enough words from this Government, we need action. We are calling on the Government to recognise Palestinian statehood. We are also continuing to call on the Government to sanction Israel for its violent occupation of Palestine by supporting Chlöe Swarbrick's member's bill.
"If countries like ours continue to do nothing to stop the atrocities in Gaza, more innocent lives will be lost. We must recognise Palestinian statehood, we must act," says Marama Davidson.
