Greens welcome Govt move on Palestine

The Green Party today welcomed the Government's decision to vote in favour of a resolution giving United Nations recognition to Palestine as a non-member observer state.

The UN General Assembly vote would see Palestinian status upgraded from an observer entity to a non-member observer state.

"New Zealand needs to make sure that Palestine and its people enjoy the rule of international law and secure their legitimate political rights," Green Party global affairs spokesperson, Dr Kennedy Graham said today.

"It is therefore good news that we are supporting Palestine in its bid to achieve full observer status at the UN as an observer 'state', rather than 'entity'.

"This will establish the right framework for negotiations and promote the chances of a credible and enduring political settlement to the Israel-Palestine problem," Dr Graham said.