Labour MP Duncan Webb has apologised for a social media post he says was an "error of judgement".
Dr Webb, in a since-deleted post on X, said: "Do you think [David Seymour] doesn't like humus because it's too close to h@m@s [sic]."
Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel from Gaza on October 7 which escalated the Israel-Hamas war. It's listed as a designated terrorist entity in New Zealand.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Webb's post was not appropriate and he has indicated that to him.
"I understand it was deleted in a matter of minutes. I think he probably reflected on it and realised he made a mistake.
"It is a mistake; he shouldn't have done it. It's a bad judgement and I think he realises that."
Dr Webb apologised for the post in a statement to Newshub.
"It was an error of judgment. I shouldn't have tweeted it and I'm sorry I did," he said.
Webb's post was in response to Seymour saying the new school lunch programme would consist of sandwiches and fruit.
"Forget quinoa, couscous and hummus," Seymour said.
"We'll be doing more with less money to feed kids the fruit and sandwiches their parents would, not woke food like quinoa and sushi," said a later post on his ACT Party's X account.
In response to Webb's post, Seymour told Newshub: "As a matter of fact I do denounce terrorist organisations. I just have no idea what that's got to do with my announcement of school lunches today."
Newshub.
