ECan Split On Support For Palestine Bill

Thursday, 31 July 2025, 5:18 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

A councillor's motion to support a Bill promoting sanctions against Israel has left Canterbury’s regional council split down the middle.

Councillor Greg Byrnes asked Environment Canterbury to call on the Government to support the Green Party's proposed Unlawful Occupation of Palestine Sanctions Bill.

The heated ECan debate on Wednesday [July 30], in front of a packed public gallery, resulted in an 8-8 vote, meaning the motion was lost.

Cr Byrnes said he had been accused of ‘‘anti-Semitism’’ and ‘‘electioneering’’ by bringing in the motion, but he noted he was not seeking re-election.

‘‘This is not about me. It is time to stop the genocide, release the Israeli and Palestinian prisoners and send in the aid.’’

His presentation received loud applause from the gallery.

The motion was backed by Cr Genevieve Robinson and North Canterbury councillor Grant Edge, who said his support for the motion was "a call for justice’’.

The motion also received strong opposition from councillors who said it was not the council’s role to engage in foreign policy.

Cr Tutehounuku Korako said he was ‘‘deeply distressed’’ by the suffering in Palestine, but he would not support the motion as it was outside the council’s role of environmental stewardship, public transport, freshwater, climate resilience and regional infrastructure.

Several councillors questioned chairperson Craig Pauling’s decision to allow the motion to be discussed.

But Mr Pauling reminded councillors the chair had the discretion to make the final decision on what motions were allowed.

Environment Canterbury last year voted to update its procurement policy in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2334.

Under the policy change, the council agreed not to trade with any companies on the UN Human Rights Council list of companies involved in the building or maintenance of the illegal settlements.

It followed a previous motion by Cr Byrnes.

Members of the public gallery expressed their frustrations as they left the chambers, prompting Mr Pauling to briefly adjourn the meeting.

Green Party co-leader Chloe Swarbrick lodged the private member's bill in December.

The Government this week signed a fresh joint statement, with 14 other countries, expressing a willingness to recognise the State of Palestine as a necessary step towards a two-State solution.

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