Faith, not statecraft? Why Pacific nations are opening embassies in Jerusalem
SYDNEY, Sept 12 — An ancient Biblical prophecy lies at the heart of a Pacific islands push to open embassies...
The Pacific islands are making a surprising move by opening embassies in Jerusalem, not driven by statecraft but religious conviction, according to experts and former diplomats. Israel may seem an unlikely ally for these tropical nations, yet they have been some of Israel's most loyal supporters on the international stage. Nauru, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji have all established embassies in Jerusalem, joining a small list of UN member-states that have done the same.
Former Fijian diplomat Salote Tagivakatini believes the driving force behind these actions is Christianity, with around 90% of Pacific islanders identifying as Christians. The Old Testament prophecy, which refers to Jews as "God's chosen people," is also a significant factor. Many Pacific nations have deep-rooted beliefs in these prophecies, and there are communities in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Fiji that consider themselves descendants of the "Lost Tribes of Israel."
The connection between the Pacific islands and Israel is not solely political; it's also spiritual, with many leaders declaring their support for Israel based on their faith.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
