Controversy over Israel-Pacific Islands Forum partnership

The Pacific Conference of Churches (PCC) has called for a review and suspension of Israel’s status as a second-tier development partner with the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Representing Christian churches across 18 countries and territories, the PCC requested that engagement be halted until Israel complies with United Nations resolutions and International Court of Justice rulings concerning the occupation of Palestinian territory.

Critics, including the Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organisations (PRNGO), argue the partnership was established without sufficient consultation with local communities and undermines regional commitments to decolonisation. PCC General Secretary Reverend James Bhagwan noted the lack of an official PIF statement regarding the announcement.

Regional leaders have expressed conflicting views. Fiji’s Deputy Prime Minister Viliame Gavoka supported the relationship, describing it as “biblical, ageless and real.” Similarly, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters stated that criticizing the inclusion of Israel is an insult to Pacific Island nations and that the decision of regional leaders should be respected.

Adding to the opposition, the Pacific Elders’ Voice (PEV), a group comprising former heads of state and senior diplomats, has called for the decision to be reversed. PEV Chair and former Kiribati President Anote Tong stated that the partnership is not “morally defensible.” The PEV argued that the engagement creates inconsistencies with the Pacific’s own stances on decolonisation and self-determination in territories such as Kanaky, French Polynesia, West Papua, and Bougainville. This movement is supported by other regional entities, including the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre.