Pacific Rim Indigenous groups declare solidarity with Israel

Indigenous peoples across the Pacific Rim have launched a declaration of support for Israel, timed for the Jewish New Year.

The initiative, spearheaded by Indigenous Friends of Israel International and The Lions of Zion, brings together First Nations peoples from Canada and the United States’ Pacific coasts, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Māori from Aotearoa, Native Hawaiian Kānaka Maoli, the Ainu of Japan, and various Asian, Polynesian, Melanesian, Micronesian, and Latin American cultures.

“To this ancient land of Israel, the ancient peoples of the Pacific Rim send a message of solidarity,” said Norman and Barbara Miller of Indigenous Friends of Israel International and Dr Isaac Balbin of the Lions of Zion in a joint statement.

The declaration recognises Jewish people as “the Indigenous stewards of the land of Israel” and draws parallels between Indigenous Pacific communities and Jewish experiences.

“Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Rim not only have a shared indigeneity with Jewish people but the shared experience of tribal societies, close family relations, attachment to land and closeness to nature,” the declaration states.

“We also have shared experiences of colonisation, dispersion, ethnic cleansing, persecution, discrimination, marginalisation, trauma and the need for resilience.”

The document praises Israel as “a beacon of morality, kindness, and grace” and commends the Jewish people for having “retained their religion and culture, revived their language and decolonised their land with the rebirth of the state of Israel in 1948 forming the only democracy in the Middle East.”

The declaration highlights Israel’s humanitarian efforts, particularly in disaster relief across the Pacific region, describing these actions as reflecting the Jewish values of tikkun olam — – repairing the world.

“From the shores of Alaska to the islands of Fiji, from the rainforests of Papua New Guinea to the vibrant cities of Seoul, Manila, and Lima, our hearts beat with yours,” the declaration reads.

The organisers have made the declaration available for public signing online and will host a Zoom seminar on 29 September to discuss the initiative, with free registration available through the Indigenous Friends of Israel International website.

The declaration concludes with a commitment from Pacific Rim Indigenous communities to “continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel” and work together to “build a future where hope, wisdom, and joy flourish.”