Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa Invercargill
Today Invercargill City Council voted 7-3 to join five other councils including Environment Southland to exclude companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank from council contracts, reversing the previous council’s 6–6 decision decided by casting vote.
The motion returned after a petition signed by 1,200 people, and was supported by local businesses, unions, faith groups and community organisations.
The change aligns procurement with UN Security Council Resolution 2334, co-sponsored by New Zealand under a National government in 2016, which states Israeli settlements on Palestinian land are a “flagrant violation under international law” and a “major obstacle” to peace. In July 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s occupation unlawful and in breach of international law on apartheid and racial segregation.
Statement from Seren Palliser of PSNA Invercargill: “Since the last council rejected this, 1800+ attacks have been recorded in the West Bank, with 240 Palestinians killed and 1600 displaced. 700,000 settler-colonists now live in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and this winter Israeli ministers announced plans for 3 settlements in Gaza and 400 million to expand settlements.”
“We’re grateful to the councillors who passed this today. This is a small step to stop ratepayer money funding these war crimes, but local councils shouldn’t have to take it – it’s 10 years since UNSC 2334 was passed and parliament, which sanctioned Russia within weeks, still hasn’t put it into action. The relentless double standards have done permanent harm to the international rule’s based order we all rely on.”
The motion was brought by councillor Lisa Tou-McNaughton (supported by Andrea de Vries, Steve Broad, Marcus Lush and Darren Ludlow), and moved by Alex Crackett, seconded by Steve Broad
Votes for: Lisa Tou-McNaughton, Andrea de Vries, Steve Broad, Marcus Lush and Darren Ludlow, Alex Crackett, Ian Pottinger, Ria Bond
Voted against: Tom Campbell, Barry Stewart, Trish Boyle