New Zealand MP Chlöe Swarbrick Ejected During Palestine Debate
During a heated debate in the New Zealand Parliament on August 12, 2025, Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick was ordered to leave the chamber. The debate was called to discuss the government's recent announcement that it was considering whether to officially recognize a Palestinian state.
Here are more details about the incident and the surrounding context:
The Debate: The urgent debate followed a statement from the center-right government that it would make a formal decision in September on recognizing a Palestinian state. This announcement came after close allies like Australia, Canada, the UK, and France had already indicated their intention to recognize a Palestinian state at an upcoming UN conference.
Swarbrick's Comments: During her speech, Ms. Swarbrick criticized the government's perceived inaction, calling New Zealand a "laggard" and an "outlier." She then challenged government members to support a bill proposed by the Green Party that would allow New Zealand to sanction Israel. Her exact words were, "If we find six of 68 Government MPs with a spine, we can stand on the right side of history."
The Speaker's Ruling: Speaker Gerry Brownlee immediately deemed her statement "completely unacceptable" and demanded that she withdraw the remark and apologize. When Ms. Swarbrick refused, he ordered her to leave the debating chamber for the remainder of the week. Ms. Swarbrick reportedly responded with "Happily" as she departed.
Clarification and Aftermath: Following the incident, the Speaker clarified that Ms. Swarbrick could return to Parliament the next day (Wednesday) but would be removed again if she continued to refuse to apologize. Speaking to media after being ejected, Swarbrick defended her comments, stating they were "pretty mild" in the context of the ongoing conflict and were a way to express her frustration with the government's inaction.
Broader Political Context: The incident highlights the deep divisions within New Zealand politics on the Israel-Palestine conflict. While the government is weighing its decision, all opposition parties, including the Green Party, Labour, and Te Pati Maori, have expressed their support for the recognition of a Palestinian state.
