BDS legislation, close the Israeli Embassy and recognise a Palestinian state
What it actually does
Would introduce legislation to support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, close the Israeli Embassy and expel the ambassador, and recognise a Palestinian state 'from the river to the sea'. The party's founding principles call for a single secular, democratic state in Palestine and the return of Palestinian refugees.
Source: NZ Law Society (LawTalk Election 2026 feature) · 2026-10
The Trump take
“Close the embassy? I moved an embassy once, to Jerusalem, very successfully. These people want to close one. Opposite of me. Not going to work out.”parody
Why it scored this way
Trade
Legislated boycotts and sanctions on a US ally
-1
Dislikes it
Defence
Breaks diplomatic ties with a close US ally
-1
Dislikes it
On the same topics
One-stop consenting for new supermarkets, accept US/UK/EU labels
ACT proposes a single consenting point so new supermarket entrants can get consents, liquor licences and approvals "in months, not years", and would let food labelled for trusted overseas systems such as the US, UK and EU be sold without relabelling. ACT opposes forced supermarket break-ups proposed by other parties.
Cut spending and foreign aid back to 2017 levels
ACT's fiscal plan would return non-welfare spending to 2017 levels (adjusted for inflation and growth), cut the annual operating allowance from $2.4b to $2b, reduce foreign aid to 2017 levels (excluding aid to Ukraine) and abolish 'demographic' ministries. ACT says net core Crown debt would be $12.4b lower than forecast; health, education, defence, police and children's services are exempt.
Defence Capability Plan: $12b and a path to 2% of GDP
The April 2025 Defence Capability Plan committed $12 billion over four years, including about $9 billion of new spending, with an aim to lift defence spending from just over 1% of GDP to more than 2% within eight years. Priorities include more strike capability and closer integration with Australia.