Israeli deputy FM kicks off historic visit to Pacific including NZ

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel began a historic trip to the Pacific on Sunday, which will include the first-ever official state visit by a representative of the Israeli government to Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

The six-day diplomatic trip—which started in the Philippines and will conclude in New Zealand—comes a week after a fragile ceasefire in Gaza went into effect. Fiji and Papua New Guinea have both opened embassies in Jerusalem over the last year.

“The Pacific nations and the Philippines are true partners of the State of Israel,” said Haskel. “I am proud to take part in the first official visit of an Israeli government representative to Papua New Guinea and Fiji — steadfast friends of Israel — and it is our duty to continue nurturing these important relationships.”

Haskel is scheduled to meet with prime ministers and senior government officials in Papua New Guinea and Fiji, and take part in business seminars and community events led by Israel’s ambassadors to the region. In addition, she is to visit Manila and Auckland, where she will meet with local Jewish communities and representatives of chambers of commerce as part of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s efforts to deepen Israel’s ties with Jewish communities and partners across the region.

“This visit aims to deepen our friendship, advance joint initiatives in the fields of development, innovation, and agriculture, and strengthen our connection with Jewish communities across the region,” she said.

Last month, Fiji inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the seventh nation to have its diplomatic mission in the capital of Israel.

“The special bond with your great nation is deeply revered by the people of Fiji,” said its prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, who travelled to the Jewish state with a delegation of senior government ministers for the inauguration. “The opening of our embassy is a great testament to the enduring connection between our two peoples.”

Papua New Guinea inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem last year.

Both island nations have strong Christian populations.

Six countries have their embassies in Israel’s capital: the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay and Papua New Guinea.

All other nations that maintain ties with Israel have their embassies in Tel Aviv or its suburbs.