FIJI will not be militarily involved in any of the conflicts currently involving the State of Israel.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka made this reassurance saying Fiji’s relationship with Israel would remain focused on development co-operation and strengthening bilateral ties, not military engagement.
Mr Rabuka said Fiji’s interest in the partnership was based on development opportunities and the long-standing relationship between the two countries.
“We are looking at our own development and they are capable of giving us the development we need,” he said.
He said Fijians had benefited from training opportunities in Israel over the years, including young people currently undergoing training there.
“Right now we have some young people undergoing training in Israel.
“Our own president did some training in his career path with the Native Land Trust Board at the time in Israel.”
Mr Rabuka said Fiji’s engagement with Israel had also been shaped by its long history of peacekeeping in the Middle East.
He said many Fijians had experienced the hospitality of the people and State of Israel through Fiji’s involvement in peacekeeping operations in the region.
Mr Rabuka said the Government would not allow the relationship to become militarised, as this would contradict Fiji’s wider regional position including the “Ocean of Peace” concept for the Pacific.
Israel’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar also stated that Israel would not ask Fiji for military support, saying Israel was capable of “fighting its own wars”.
