In yesterday’s public forum of the council meeting Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa representatives Dr Anna Palliser and Ali Smith spoke to a resolution asking the council not to buy goods and services from companies identified by the UN as being involved with illegal Israeli settlements in Palestine.
Mr Smith said what they were asking for was not the boycott of Israel or sanctions.
"It’s a basic ethical housekeeping measure and it’s about ensuring Invercargill’s ratepayer funds aren’t being spent on companies involved in activities that the international community and our own government consider unlawful."
The Christchurch and Nelson city councils and Environment Canterbury had already decided to uphold the UN resolution, Mr Smith said.
Israel planned to establish more illegal settlements, he said.
"We must ensure we are not complicit.
"This is a simple clear step but it sends a strong message."
He asked councillors if staff could prepare a report to investigate the council adopting the resolution.
Mayor Nobby Clark agreed a report was necessary.
The procurement policy, presently being given its six yearly review, referred to procurement in general terms, Mr Clark said.
To specifically include the Israeli situation in the policy would raise issues about other places in the world subject to UN resolutions including Somalia, Yemen and Ukraine, he said.
"I’m picking such a policy would have to have a general statement that says we won’t breach UN resolutions in our procurement which will cover this situation but cover other situations. Otherwise we would be constantly revisiting it."
