Dear Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,

Under the OIA, I am asking for information regarding any consideration of sanctions on Israel by the New Zealand government.

I understand that New Zealand imposes sanctions in two ways: through the domestic implementation of sanctions mandated by a United Nations Security Council resolution or targeted sanctions under the Russia Sanctions Act in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

In light of this, I am requesting:

1. Any documents, records, or briefings by MFAT that consider or propose a Sanctions Act targeting Israel, similar to the Russia Sanctions Act.
2. Any analyses, memos, or briefings outlining what steps, requirements, or legal provisions would be necessary for New Zealand to enact sanctions explicitly targeting Israel, independently of a UN Security Council resolution.
3. Any comparative assessments or references to the Russia Sanctions Act that explore the viability of a similar framework for Israel.
4. Any communications or correspondences between MFAT and other government departments or international partners discussing the feasibility or advisability of sanctions on Israel.
5. Any records or minutes from meetings where the topic of targeted sanctions on Israel, or the broader legal and procedural requirements for such sanctions, was discussed.

If the quality of information to compile is prohibitive, please focus on substantive documents, memos, and briefings and provide a list of other materials relevant to the questions above.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

John Wilson