By Greg Bouwer on J-Wire…
A proposed Members Bill aimed at sanctioning Israel has sparked outrage among Christian leaders in New Zealand, who argue that it is biased, historically inaccurate, and promotes a dangerous anti-Israel agenda.
The Coalition of Ministers Supporting Israel (COMS-Israel) has condemned the bill, urging Parliament to reject what they describe as a one-sided attack on the world’s only Jewish state.
The bill, introduced by Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick in December, seeks to punish Israel for what she calls its “illegal occupation of Palestinian lands.”
Her proposal follows a UN resolution supported by 123 nations, urging sanctions against Israel over its presence in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.
The Labour Party has since backed the bill, calling for even stronger action against Israel, including support for South Africa’s anti-Israel lawsuit at the International Court of Justice.
Read the full story on J-Wire HERE.
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EDITORS NOTE: Chloe Swarbrick’s bill to sanction Israel is a Members Bill. It is worth noting that most Members’ Bills do not pass into law.
In order for a Member’s bill to progress it must be selected for introduction to the House and set down on the Order Paper. This is achieved either by being selected via the ballot system or being introduced by leave. The most common method is through the ballot system.
Swarbrick’s Bill has not been selected from the ballot. The Greens claim 55 Opposition members officially support the Bill, and the support of six Government MPs would help the Bill bypass the ballot and be introduced to Parliament.
Hansard shows that on March 12, Swarbrick asked the Prime Minister the following question (in relation to the Bill):
“Will the Prime Minister join the Greens, Labour, and Te Pāti Māori in supporting my member’s bill to implement sanctions and trade measures against Israel for their continued, ceaseless, and violent occupation of Gaza and the West Bank, just like we did against Russia for its unlawful occupation of Ukraine?”
In response, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters (on behalf of the Prime Minister) said:
“This side of the House has always believed in a two-State solution and is awaiting that member’s petition regarding the terrorist atrocity that happened in October so many years ago and until this time has only been responded to by members on this side of the House and some members of the Opposition but not by the Green Party or that member.”
