The Fiji government has issued a statement affirming its solidarity with Israel and commitment to global peace in the midst of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
It says Fiji’s stance was demonstrated by its recent vote in support of the Canadian amendment and against the recent UN resolution urging a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Along with other countries, Fiji supported a Canadian amendment to the resolution.
The amendment intended to address actual ground realities and correct factual omissions, identify and condemn Hamas for initiating the crisis, holding hostages, and using them and civilians as human shields since the October 7th 2023 terrorist attack.
The Fiji government statement says these facts are essential to understanding the reality of the situation that will inform the next steps in seeking a meaningful solution.
It says the final UN resolution did not mention these facts hence Fiji voted against it.
Fiji says it’s intent in voting for the amendment was to advocate against all acts of terror, show support for the hostages and innocent civilians, however the amendment was defeated.
The statement says Fiji, along with the United States and 12 other nations, firmly support Israel's right to defend itself and, in this particular case, to counter Hamas, a terrorist organisation. It says the 14 nations highlight the fact that Hamas has used civilians as human shields, and in manipulating global opinion against Israel. Fiji says from coverage of the conflict since October 7th; Hamas' actions and level of atrocities underscore their disregard for innocent lives.
The Fiji government statement says it's crucial to note that Israel's primary target is Hamas, not the Palestinian population.
It adds that Israel's response aims to safeguard its sovereignty and protect its citizens.
Fiji says they have established safe zones to help Gazan citizens relocate out of harm's way.
The government statement says while the resolution does call for the immediate release of all hostages, condemns all acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks, including those against Israeli civilians, it fails to explicitly name Hamas.
It says addressing all aspects of the situation is crucial to achieving lasting peace.
Fiji adds that if the actions of Hamas are not unequivocally denounced in the resolution, the attainment of lasting peace remains in jeopardy.
The Fiji government statement says as pointed out by Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan, a ceasefire would provide Hamas with time to rearm, and the vote was not intended to bring peace but to “tie Israel's hands.”
The statement says in the words of the US UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield there are no 'law-free' zones in war. Fiji says Hamas is not a signatory to any international convention, and its actions consistently disregard international standards of conduct and the laws of war.
Fiji is among 14 countries, including the United States, Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Guatemala, Hungary, Israel, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, and Tonga, that voted against the resolution drafted by the Arab nations.
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