The Green Party and Te Pāti Māori gain Labour's official backing in their bid to pass a Member's Bill, aimed at sanctioning Israel for its alleged war crimes against Palestinians.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick believes the bill has a chance of passing if six government MPs use their conscience votes. "There are no more excuses," she said, adding that many in the Jewish community are troubled by the ongoing genocide in Gaza and West Bank violence perpetrated by Israel. The bill's supporters claim it is a crucial step towards accountability.
Justine Sachs from Dayenu said New Zealand has a responsibility to stand in solidarity with Palestinians seeking justice and peace. "Leadership and moral courage are needed now more than ever," she added. Meanwhile, Maher Nazzal from All Out for Gaza urged the government to allow a conscience vote on the issue, saying that silence is complicity.
The bill's progress hinges on the support of six government MPs, with 55 opposition members already backing it. In December last year, Swarbrick wrote to all Members of Parliament asking their support for the bill to bypass the ballot, and later asked the Prime Minister if there would be any government policy preventing them from exercising their democratic right. The Prime Minister said he would review the bill, but no decision has been made yet.
The New Zealand Government's stance on the issue remains unclear, with some MPs reportedly willing to use their conscience votes in favour of the bill. With international pressure mounting and 123 UN member states supporting sanctions against Israel, the fate of the bill hangs in the balance.