Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Invercargill City Council has voted against cutting ties with companies that operate in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land.
On Tuesday afternoon, councillors debated whether to change to the council's procurement policy, following a proposal brought by local residents and members of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.
Similar spending bans have already been adopted by Nelson City Council, Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury, targeting companies listed by the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Invercargill City Council was split down the middle - with six councillors in favour and six against - but Mayor Nobby Clark's casting vote ended the debate.
He said the council needed to balance its ethical commitment to the United Nations with its responsibility to be frugal in procurement decisions.
Councillor Allan Arnold was also opposed, arguing that such a move wasn't in the council's remit.
"We're the Invercargill City Council. Our job is to look after the water assets, infrastructure of Invercargill, and look after the people. This is far, far beyond our scope," he said.
"We're here to look after our community in Invercargill. I can't understand why this is something we're looking at, at all."
However, earlier, councillor Lesley Soper said taking a stand on ethical issues was an important part of being part of the world community.
"We're not some isolated island, or some isolated council. Other councils have already taken the decision to make this inclusion on very valid grounds," she said.
She noted the United Nations database would have made it easy to identify which companies to exclude.
Councillor Darren Ludlow also wanted to see the council taking action.
"As pointless as it may seem, there is a point. And that's leadership," he said.
Earlier this week, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa said it would also present a proposal to Environment Southland, calling for a boycott of companies operating in illegal Israeli settlements.
