Whether they like it or not, in the eyes of the world, Fiji will be seen as a country that supports the apartheid and pariah state of Israel, and its genocide in Gaza.
NGO Coalition on Human Rights Chair, Shamima Ali highlighted this reiterating its ‘NOT IN OUR NAME’ opposition to Fiji’s defence of Israel at the International Court of Justice in the case brought by the Republic of South Africa that Israel was committing genocide and declare our strongest NOT IN OUR NAME opposition to the establishment of the Fijian Embassy in Jerusalem.
Ali says neither action reflects the wishes of all citizens of Fiji.
She says it does not reflect well on Fiji for the present Coalition Government to be effectively supporting Israel’s genocide in Palestine.
The Chair says it has been widely reported in the Fiji media that an entourage of 17 government officials and spouses led by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will officially establish a residential Fijian embassy in Jerusalem later in September.
She says Minister for Information Lynda Tabuya and Home Affairs Minister, Pio Tikoduadua will also accompany Rabuka.
Ali says the Coalition Government appears to be callously ignoring the unfolding famine and mass starvation in Gaza that is being deliberately orchestrated by the state of Israel.
She says this very same government previously defended the destruction, killings, and maiming of scores of thousands of innocent civilians, 70 percent of women and children by Israel at the International Court of Justice.
The Chair says recently two pre-eminent World Elders, Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights) and Helen Clark (former Prime Minister of Aotearoa-New Zealand and former Head of UNDP) visited Rafah Crossing into Gaza from Egypt.
She says they witnessed how Israel was preventing the flow of food, water, and medicine to the suffering people of Gaza.
Ali says Mary Robinson reported that what they heard and witnessed left no doubt: this obstruction of aid is a deliberate policy of the Israeli government adding this is not the chaos of war, nor the result of an environmental disaster, it is intentional – and it is driving what she believes is an unfolding genocide.
She says Prime Minster Rabuka, Lynda Tabuya and Pio Tikoduadua have made rather unconvincing arguments regarding the opening of a Fijian residential embassy in Jerusalem amid the unfolding genocide in Gaza.
The Chair says Rabuka’s claim that he is building a bridge with Israel is vacuous, Tabuya’s assertion that she will provide detailed information regarding the shameful event is farcical.
She says as for Israel training our security personnel which is Tikoduadua’s justification for the visit God forbid! Members of the Fiji NGO Coalition on Human Rights are Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre (Chair), Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, Citizens’ Constitutional Forum, femLINKpacific, Social Empowerment and Education Program, and Diverse Voices and Action (DIVA) for Equality Fiji. Additionally, Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) is an observer.
Meanwhile, Rabuka says this mission is about constructive engagement.
He says an embassy is not a blanket endorsement of another country’s policies; it is a bridge that allows Fiji to work directly with partners, share our Pacific perspectives, and pursue practical cooperation that benefits our people.
Security discussions will build on Israel’s earlier pledge to assist Fiji’s maritime and border security, including support related to patrol vessels, part of Fiji’s wider effort to combat transnational crime and keep our communities safe.
The government says Fiji appreciates the hospitality and on-the-ground support offered by its hosts for elements of the visit and the mission’s establishment.
It says this is consistent with Israel’s cabinet decision to provide financial assistance to countries relocating embassies to Jerusalem, and the Embassy will strengthen services for Fijians and deepen longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation between Fiji and Israel.
Prime Minister Rabuka noted that this is a forward-looking step, a bridge of cooperation that advances Fiji’s interests, supports our values, and fosters dialogue and peace.
