The Green Party's Chloe Swarbrick accuses the New Zealand government of "lagging behind" in recognizing Palestinian statehood and calls for sanctions against Israel.

MP Chloe Swarbrick has said New Zealand is "an exception" in the absence of a decision to recognize Palestinian statehood and called on the government to back a bill to sanction Israel. The bill, proposed by the Green Party, is supported by all opposition parties. House Speaker Gerry Brownlee condemned Swarbrick's statements, asking her to withdraw and apologize, which she refused and was evicted from the House. The government will decide in September on whether to recognize Palestine.