Invercargill City Council is set to vote on Tuesday on a change to its procurement policy to exclude companies linked to illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.
The proposal was brought by local residents and members of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. If adopted, Invercargill would become the latest in a growing wave of local councils – including Christchurch, Nelson, and Environment Canterbury – aligning spending in this way.
“This is about responsible stewardship” said the group, “making sure ratepayer money isn’t used in ways that contradict New Zealand’s foreign policy or international law.”
A staff report released ahead of the vote supports adopting the change into the Council’s Supplier Code of Conduct. It confirms the move aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2334 – co-sponsored by New Zealand in 2016 under a National government — which called the settlements a “flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle” to peace.
“Western governments have failed for decades to hold Israel to account,” said the group. “Last year the International Court of Justice ruled Israel’s 57 year long occupation breaches international law on apartheid and racial segregation. No council wants to fund companies complicit in that — this is the moment to act.”
The staff report noted that the proposal, which targets a narrow list of companies named by the UN as involved in illegal settlements, would add weight to government rules which allow companies to be excluded on human rights grounds. Councils, while not legally required, are encouraged by the Auditor-General to follow these to avoid stakeholder challenge.
“International law protects all of us – especially New Zealand as a small country,” the group added. “When we let powerful countries violate the rules with impunity, we all become more vulnerable.”
The initiative has drawn support from a wide range of national and local organisations, including trade unions, faith leaders, and businesses.
The group will present the same proposal to Environment Southland the following day.
S Palliser
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) Invercargill
