John Key must take next step after McLay appointment

The Green Party is calling on John Key to take the next step and recognise the state of Palestine following the Government’s decision to appoint Jim McLay as the Representative to the Palestinian Authority

Today, Murray McCully announced that Mr McLay would be undertaking the role of New Zealand’s Representative to the Palestinian Authority. However, in the past, the ambassador to Israel has also handled relationships with Palestine.

“While this might seem like a positive step, some have expressed concern this was a result of pressure from the Israeli Government,” said Green Party global affairs spokesperson Dr Kennedy Graham.

“Israel refused to accept our ambassador in Turkey, because he was also going to handle relations with Palestine, and suddenly, we have split the roles.

“If New Zealand is to appoint a separate representative to Palestine, this should be our independent decision; not a result of external manipulation.

“The Representative to Palestine will be based in New Zealand, instead of the region, and will not have the support of the embassy.

“The critical thing is for our Government to recognise Palestine as a state and endorse its membership at the United Nations.

“The Green Party hopes that appointing such a senior diplomat is a signal that New Zealand is finally moving towards full recognition of Palestinian statehood.

“If it is not, then Mr McCully needs to come clean and explain why he has bowed to Israel’s demands,” said Dr Graham.

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