New Zealand MP expelled from Parliament after calling for Israel punishment

New Zealand MP Chloe Swarbrick was ordered to leave Parliament during a heated debate over the government's response to the Palestinians.

The parliamentary debate was called after the center-right government said it was weighing its position on whether or not to recognize a Palestinian state.

Close ally Australia on Monday joined France, Canada and the United Kingdom in announcing it would recognize a Palestinian state in September, when the United Nations General Assembly is held.

Swarbrick, co-leader of the Green Party, said New Zealand has "been delayed" and the lack of a decision is unacceptable, urging members of the Government to support a bill "to sanction Israel for war crimes".

This bill was proposed by her party in March and is supported by all opposition parties.

"If we find six out of 68 Government MPs who have a backbone, we can be on the right side of history," Swarbrick said.

Speaker Gerry Brownlee said the statement was "completely unacceptable", calling on the MP to retract her words and apologise.

Swarbrick refused to do so and was subsequently ordered to leave Parliament.

Brownlee later clarified that Swarbrick can return to plenary proceedings on Wednesday, but if the MP again refuses to apologize, she will be expelled from Parliament.

New Zealand has said it will decide in September whether or not to recognize a Palestinian state.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters told Parliament that next month the Government will gather information and talk to partners and then make a decision on the matter.

"We will weigh this decision carefully and will not rush it," Peters said.

Along with the Green Party, the other opposition parties, the Labour Party and Te Pati Maori, support recognition of the Palestinian state.

Labor MP Peeni Henare said New Zealand has a strong history of standing by its principles and values and in this case "is falling behind."/REL

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