Israel–Papua New Guinea relations are bilateral relations between Israel and Papua New Guinea. Israel and Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations in 1978, about three years after Papua New Guinea was granted independence.[1]
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History
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On September 5, 2023, the Papua New Guinea embassy in Jerusalem was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape and the Prime Minister of Israel Benyamin Netanyahu.[2]
Israel's ambassador to Australia acts as non-resident ambassador to Papua New Guinea. Since 2007, Ya'akov Weiss has been the Honorary Consul General of Papua New Guinea to Israel, and acts as the diplomatic representative of Papua New Guinea to Israel.[3]
In November 2012, the Papua New Guinea government abstained in the vote on United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 recognizing Palestine as a non-member state.
On a visit to Israel, in October 2013, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill, planted a tree in Jerusalem. During the visit O'Neill stated: "Planting a tree symbolizes that the world has a future and that we all have life."[4][5]
In 2020 Peter O'Neill was arrested by police in Port Moresby after allegations that he had purchased 2 generators from Israel without Parliamentary approval.[6][7] But in October 2021 the Papua New Guinea courts acquitted the former Prime Minister from all charges.[8]
Israel-Hamas war
editOn November 2, 2023, Papua New Guinea was among 15 countries voting against a humanitarian ceasefire in the 2023 Israel-Hamas war. 120 member states voted in favor and 45 abstained. Other countries Oceania, such as Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Nauru, and Micronesia also voted against the ceasefire.
Te Ao Maori News claimed it "looks as though they’re aligning themselves with Israel and the United States".[9] University of Canterbury professor Steven Ratuva claimed this was because of "the rise of evangelical movements in the region which are linked to the evangelical movements in the United States, which are in support of Trump, in support of Israel and Zionism generally". Ratuva also described their economic reliance on the United States as a factor in the decision.[9]
On December 12, 2023, Papua New Guinea was again among the countries voting against an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, and "ensuring humanitarian access", in the UN General Assembly.[10]
Cultural relations
editThere are claims that the Gogodala people in Western Province of Papua New Guinea are the descendants of a lost tribe of Israel.[11] The claims have been analysed by Florida International University religious studies professor Tudor Parfitt.
The Huli culture of Hela people in Papua New Guinea is also reportedly similar to Jewish culture.[citation needed]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Israeli mobile water purification and desalination unit arrives in Papua New Guinea
- ^ Williams, Dan (5 September 2023). "Papua New Guinea opens embassy in Jerusalem". Reuters. Retrieved 6 September 2023.
- ^ "Board of Directors".
- ^ "Papua New Guinea PM Plants a Tree in Jerusalem". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
- ^ "The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea Plants a Tree in Jerusalem". Jewish National Fund. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
This is a moving day for us all. It's heartening to see how the State of Israel is growing and flourishing, and we are grateful for having been given the opportunity to share and participate in this.
- ^ "Former PNG PM O'Neill to stand trial over Israeli generators purchase | Asia Pacific Report". Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ "Papua New Guinea ex-PM O'Neill arrested for suspicious deal with Israel". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 15 June 2021.
- ^ https://www.postcourier.com.pg/court-acquits-oneill/
- ^ a b "Six Pacific nations oppose Gaza ceasefire and aid resolution". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "UN General Assembly votes by large majority for immediate humanitarian ceasefire during emergency session | UN News". news.un.org. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ "'Lost tribe of Israel' found in Papua New Guinea?". Israel Hayom. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
Scholar known as "British Indiana Jones," Florida International University religious studies professor Tudor Parfitt: "The Gogodala wear yarmulkes [kippot] and prayer shawls. They've started celebrating Jewish holidays and they are using more Hebrew."
Further reading
edit- Waima, Kolopu (28 October 2013). "Pastor hails PM's Israel visit". Post-Courier. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- Alphonse, Andrew (8 April 2011). "SHP partners with Israel for agro-industry". Post-Courier. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
- Philemon, Oseah (24 May 2010). "Abal announces office in Israel". Post-Courier. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.