Invercargill City Council bans procurement from illegal Israeli settlement companies

The Invercargill City Council has voted to end the procurement of goods and services from companies that profit from illegal Israeli settlements on Palestinian land. The 7-3 decision makes Invercargill the seventh local body in New Zealand to adopt such a policy, joining other entities including the Christchurch, Nelson, and Palmerston city councils, as well as Environment Canterbury and Environment Southland.

The resolution aims to align council contracts with UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which identifies Israeli settlements in occupied territories as a violation of international law. The motion was supported by local businesses, unions, and community organizations following a petition signed by 1,200 people.

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) welcomed the decision, stating it is a step toward preventing ratepayer money from funding activities in the occupied territories. The group contrasted the local action with the national government's stance, noting that while New Zealand co-sponsored the relevant UN resolution in 2016, the central government has not implemented similar procurement sanctions.