Let’s work with Israel in the Pacific

Australia’s relationship with Israel is at a low point. To help to turn a new page and restore some balance, both states should focus on areas of common interest.

Israel and Australia should cooperate in the Pacific Islands. It’s a region rising in geopolitical importance, and where Israel has contributed capacity building and technology. In this context, it’s timely that Israel wants to strengthen ties with the Pacific. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa’ar, has asked his deputy, Sharren Haskel, to undertake a Pacific Islands tour to broaden partnerships into “new, substantial areas while identifying additional strategic and bilateral interests that will serve to further advance the mutual interests of all parties”.

The island states to be visited include Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Nauru, Palau, Tuvalu and Tonga. They constitute an important source of support for Israel across various international issues and can be relied on for UN lawfare engagement. They have adopted what was previously the Australian position in regularly voting to support Israel in the UN on matters relating to Israel and Palestine.

The growth of evangelical churches in the Pacific encourages solidarity with Israel. Many Melanesians believe they are descended from the lost tribes of Israel. In the Solomon Islands, for example, the most populated island of Malaita, some citizens claim to have Jewish ancestors. In the far west of PNG, the Gogodala people perform Hebrew prayers.

The official Jewish population in the Pacific is tiny. But the Israeli flag is a common sight across the region, even in some of the most isolated areas, and hung in many village churches during mass. The Pacific has almost no history of antisemitism or anti-Zionism.