Opposition MPs have raised questions in Parliament over Fiji’s growing diplomatic engagement with Israel as Government defended a new agreement on diplomatic training and insisted the country’s foreign policy remains independent and balanced.
The concerns were raised during an update in Parliament by Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Sakiasi Ditoka on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Fiji and Israel on cooperation in diplomatic training.
Mr Ditoka said Fiji’s engagement with Israel is grounded in its long-standing role in international peacekeeping.
“The proposed MOU underscores our shared commitment to strengthening cooperation across a wide range of priority sectors, with a focus on capacity building as a key driver of national development,” he said.
He noted Fiji had recently strengthened ties with Israel, including the establishment of an embassy in Jerusalem in September 2025, while Israel is expected to open its embassy in Suva in June.
Opposition MP Jone Usamate questioned the implications of closer cooperation, particularly given ongoing conflicts in Gaza and southern Lebanon.
He asked whether recent global developments had been considered in shaping the agreement, and how they might influence the training of Fijian diplomats.
Mr Ditoka said MOU is a capacity-building initiative, not a political alignment, and will not affect Fiji’s independent position in international forums.
“We work with countries across different regions and different political systems because our duty is to advance Fiji’s interests and create opportunities for our people.”
He stated that exposure to such environments can be instructive, saying learning from such situations will add to Fiji’s diplomatic experience, while reaffirming that Fiji will continue to engage with a wide range of international partners.
