Heated Debate in New Zealand Parliament Over Recognition of Palestinian State Leads to Controversial Ejection of MP Chloe Swarbrick
Tensions Erupt in New Zealand Parliament Over Palestine Recognition
WELLINGTON (Reuters) – A heated debate erupted in New Zealand’s Parliament on Tuesday, leading to the expulsion of Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick after she criticized the government’s indecision on recognizing Palestine as a state.
The urgency of the debate was prompted by the center-right government’s announcement on Monday that it was reconsidering its stance on Palestinian statehood. This comes as close ally Australia, alongside Canada, the UK, and France, declared its intention to recognize Palestine at an upcoming U.N. conference in September.
Swarbrick did not hold back during the debate, labeling New Zealand a “laggard” and an “outlier” in its foreign policy. She urged government members to support a bill proposed by her party in March, which seeks to impose sanctions on Israel for alleged war crimes. “If we find six of 68 Government MPs with a spine, we can stand on the right side of history,” she asserted.
Speaker Gerry Brownlee deemed Swarbrick’s remarks “completely unacceptable,” demanding she retract her statement and apologize. When she refused, Swarbrick was ordered to leave the chamber. Brownlee later clarified that she could return on Wednesday, but reiterated that failure to apologize would result in further removal.
The New Zealand government has committed to making a decision on recognizing Palestine by September. Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasized the need for careful consideration, stating that the government would gather information and consult with international partners before reaching a conclusion. “We’ll be weighing this decision carefully rather than rushing to judgement,” he said.
Support for recognizing Palestine is growing among opposition parties, including Labour and Te Pati Maori, with Labour parliamentarian Peeni Henare expressing concern that New Zealand risks being “left behind” in its commitment to principles and values.
As the debate continues, all eyes will be on the government’s forthcoming decision, which could reshape New Zealand’s foreign policy landscape and its role in international discussions surrounding Palestine.
