Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says the decision to establish a Fiji Embassy in Israel was made by the government, not by any individual political party within the coalition.
Amid growing criticism from some political parties and civil society groups, Rabuka stressed that his decision to open a mission in Israel dates back to the 1990s when he was first Prime Minister.
He says Israel stood by Fiji when traditional defence partners withdrew and has consistently supported Fiji’s peacekeeping operations.
Meanwhile, Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry had called on the Prime Minister to explain why opening a mission in Israel is so important at a time when, according to him, much of the free world is distancing itself from Israel due to its actions in Gaza.
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights has condemned the move, saying Fiji has abandoned its principles of human rights, justice, and peace.
The Coalition says the government’s decision is shameful, given that more than 65,000 people have been killed in Gaza and 165,000 injured, with starvation being used as a weapon of war.
They also criticised Rabuka and his delegation for standing alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, including the use of starvation as a method of warfare.
NGO Coalition Chair Shamima Ali says Fiji’s stance contradicts the “Ocean of Peace” vision championed by Rabuka. She says history will judge Fiji’s position on this issue, adding that silence is not an option when it comes to human rights.
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