The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Israel announced that a delegation will visit Pacific Island states to “deepen and advance” foreign relations.
According to a report from Radio New Zealand on Friday, the MFA posted on X that Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has instructed his deputy, Sharren Haskel, to lead the discussions.
“Israel seeks to broaden these partnerships into new, substantial areas while identifying additional strategic and bilateral interests that will serve to further advance the mutual interests of all parties,” read the statement, noting that there are numerous projects and training programmes led by Israel’s International Development Agency.
“This support is expressed bilaterally – most notably through the establishment of official embassies in Jerusalem, Israel’s capital, as exemplified by Papua New Guinea in 2023 and as additional states intend to pursue in the near future – as well as multilaterally, including through significant backing of Israel within the United Nations,” it added.
The exact itinerary for Haskel’s visit has yet to be determined at the time of writing.
Mixed views across region on Israel-Palestine conflict
The stance of the South Pacific region on the Israel-Palestine conflict has been varied, with different nations expressing differing views based on their diplomatic priorities.
Some countries such as Australia and New Zealand have historically maintained a pro-Israel stance, supporting Israel’s right to self-defence while calling for peaceful negotiations with the Palestinians.
In contrast, many Pacific Island territories, especially those in the Melanesian and Polynesian sub-regions, have expressed staunch support for Palestine, advocating for Palestinian sovereignty and a two-state solution.
The region has seen mixed reactions to escalations in the conflict, with countries like Fiji and Vanuatu pushing for stronger international action in favour of Palestinian rights, while others, particularly in Micronesia, have tended to align more with Western allies in supporting Israel.
Overall, the South Pacific region reflects a range of perspectives, influenced by historical ties, domestic politics, and global alliances.
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Geoffrey H. Latayan 
Vivien Bernardino