MP removed from New Zealand parliament in heated debate over Palestinian recognition

Green party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick accused government MPs of lacking a ‘spine’ during debate on whether to recognise a Palestinian state

New Zealand parliamentarian Chlöe Swarbrick was ordered to leave parliament on Tuesday during a heated debate over the government’s response to the conflict in Gaza.

An urgent debate was called after the centre-right government said on Monday it was weighing up its position on whether to recognise a Palestinian state. Close ally Australia on Monday joined Canada, the UK and France in announcing it would recognise a Palestinian state at a UN conference in September.