The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is calling on the New Zealand Government to ban imports linked to Israeli settlements in the Occupied West Bank, arguing Aotearoa is falling behind international action and failing to adequately respond to its international legal responsibilities.
PSNA spokesperson Rinad Tamimi says New Zealand should prevent goods produced in Israeli settlements from entering the country and take stronger action against economic activity that the organisation says helps sustain the settlement system.
The call places renewed pressure on the Government over how New Zealand responds to Israel’s occupation and settlement activity in Palestinian territory.
SETTLEMENTS AT CENTRE OF INTERNATIONAL LAW DEBATE
Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have long been a major source of international condemnation.
In a landmark 2024 advisory opinion, the International Court of Justice found Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory unlawful and said states must not recognise as legal the situation arising from that presence or provide aid or assistance in maintaining it.
The United Nations Security Council has also previously stated that Israeli settlements in Palestinian territory occupied since 1967 have no legal validity under international law.
Israel disputes key aspects of the international legal and political characterisation of the occupation and maintains that issues including borders and settlements should be resolved through negotiations.
PSNA WANTS TRADE ACTION
Tamimi says statements of concern are no longer enough and wants New Zealand to use trade measures to ensure the country is not economically supporting settlement activity.
The proposed ban would target products associated with settlements in the Occupied West Bank rather than amounting to a blanket prohibition on all Israeli goods.
For PSNA, the distinction is important.
Its argument is that if settlements are considered unlawful under international law, New Zealand should ensure its trade settings do not contribute to their economic viability.
NEW ZEALAND’S POSITION UNDER SCRUTINY
New Zealand has historically supported a negotiated two-state solution and opposed settlement activity that undermines prospects for a viable Palestinian state.
PSNA argues the Government now needs to translate those positions into concrete policy.
The organisation says other countries and international institutions are increasingly considering stronger economic and diplomatic responses, leaving New Zealand at risk of falling behind.
Whether international law requires New Zealand specifically to impose the import ban advocated by PSNA is a legal question, however, and the Government’s obligations should be distinguished from the particular policy response the solidarity network is seeking.
FROM DIPLOMATIC LANGUAGE TO ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES
The campaign reflects a wider international debate about whether governments should move beyond condemnation and impose economic consequences connected to settlement activity.
Supporters argue trade restrictions would help prevent overseas consumers and businesses from contributing financially to settlements.
Opponents of boycott measures have challenged their effectiveness and warned against measures they believe could make diplomatic efforts more difficult.
For New Zealand, the issue therefore raises questions spanning foreign policy, international law, trade and human rights.
PRESSURE BUILDS ON WELLINGTON
PSNA wants the Government to make clear that products originating from Israeli settlements will not be accepted into the New Zealand market.
Tamimi’s challenge is ultimately about whether New Zealand’s stated commitment to international law should have consequences for what crosses the border.
As international scrutiny of the occupation intensifies, Wellington faces a growing question: if New Zealand opposes settlements in principle, how far is it prepared to go to ensure it does not support them economically?
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