NZ-Israel film agreement promotes terrorism, says human rights campaigner

A growing number of human rights campaigners are horrified by a recent film co-production agreement between New Zealand and Israel.

The 'Agreement on Film Co-Production Between the government of New Zealand and the Government of the State of Israel' was signed in March 2016, but has yet to take effect.

Palestine human rights campaigner Sian Robertson says that by signing this agreement, New Zealand is effectively endorsing a country with one of the worst human rights records on the planet.

British film director Ken Loach has expressed his support for the boycott. “Your campaign against the proposed film co-production agreement between New Zealand and Israel has my whole-hearted support. Israel’s long record of oppressing the Palestinians is well known… This forces us all to choose. Do we stand with the oppressor or the oppressed? There is no middle position.”

The United States is also “deeply worried” about Israel's reported plans to build new illegal settlements in East Jerusalem. US State Department spokesmanJohn Kirby recently said the plan is "corrosive to the cause of peace” and "continues this pattern of provocative and counterproductive action”.

Robertson is calling on the New Zealand government to scrap the agreement immediately.

“Israel spends millions to promote itself internationally as the innocent victim of terrorism. In fact, the opposite is more true; Israel is the dominant terrorist nation in the Middle East.”

“New Zealand was a country that helped end apartheid in South Africa, through strong boycotts of sporting ties and investment. That’s the sort of leadership we should be showing in the Middle East.”

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