Israel’s reported plan to join the Pacific Islands Forum as a development partner has drawn opposition from New Zealand’s Labour Party, which says it would have rejected the move and wants the government to explain its response.
Labour foreign affairs spokesperson Vanushi Walters told RNZ Pacific that Labour would have opposed the partnership under a Labour government. She asked Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to explain how the decision was reached and what New Zealand did to object, the broadcaster reported.
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said the Forum’s leaders approved Israel’s partner status at a meeting in Palau last month. It said Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Secretary-General Baron Divavesi Waqa later conveyed the decision to Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. The MFA has announced the decision, while the PIF Secretariat had not publicly confirmed Israel’s status as of Oct. 21.
The MFA said Israel would join the Forum’s Sectoral Partnership Stream, with both sides to develop a plan covering water management, desalination, agriculture, climate change adaptation, sustainable development and innovation. EconoTimes previously covered Israel’s partnership bid.
Luxon told RNZ Pacific the Forum controlled the decision and characterized Israel’s participation as lower-tier. His response differed from Walters’ call for an explanation of New Zealand’s role and objections. Former PIF adviser Sione Tekiteki told RNZ Pacific he viewed the arrangement as a way for Israel to gain formal recognition in the region.
Sa’ar said the next step was to prepare a joint action plan and establish a way to monitor its implementation. New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says New Zealand will host and chair the PIF leaders’ meeting in 2027.
