Israel Doesn't Determine Our Foreign Policy

"News today that some within the Israeli government are boycotting a meeting with New Zealand's Foreign Minister is absolutely extraordinary,” said Progressive deputy leader Matt Robson.

"Israel doesn't tell us who we can and can't see. New Zealand makes its own foreign policy.

“New Zealand has a half a century record of even-handedness in the Palestine/Israel conflict, recognising both Palestinians' and Israelis' right to self-determination within secure borders

"The boycott is allegedly being imposed because Phil Goff quite correctly is meeting with not only the democratically elected Israeli leaders, but also the democratically elected Palestinian ones," Matt Robson said.

The position of the Israeli government is insulting and absurd.

"There can't be lasting peace without a fair deal for both Palestinians and Israelis and the suggestion New Zealand shouldn't meet with whomever the Palestinians choose as their President is arrogant nonsense and anti-peace," Matt Robson said.

Matt Robson chairs the New Zealand Parliament-Palestinian Authority friendship group of MPs.

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