A hearing date for the civil claim surrounding the $3 million Fiji Airways Jerusalem charter case is set to be established in two months. Fiji Airways’ lawyer, Nilesh Prasad, communicated to Acting Master of the High Court, Liyanage Kashyapa Wickramasekara, that the involved parties had filed their submissions in November and were prepared for a hearing.
Mr. Prasad indicated that the original date suggested by the court in March 2026 would not work for him due to his busy schedule, and sought a new date in April instead. One of the airline’s three applications to be considered includes a request for a summary judgment, which is expected to be addressed by Acting Master Wickramasekara next year.
The case involves multiple parties, including the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem trustees—Viliame Gonelevu, Aisake Kunanitu, Ana Soqeta, and Mikaele Mudreilagi—who are represented by attorney Aca Rayawa. Additionally, the senior pastor of Christian Mission Fellowship International, Manasa Tuqani Kolivuso, is represented by Pita Niubalavu.
Fiji Airways has initiated civil proceedings against the defendants, seeking a total of $3,163,013.40, which includes interest and costs. Previously, three other defendants—WABS Pacific Pte Ltd, Kane Holding Pte Ltd, and Michael Martin Enele Sturtin Mausio, who chartered the flight to Israel in October 2023—had their pleadings dismissed due to their failure to submit the necessary documents.
This case stems from the non-payment for the charter when 255 pilgrims were transported to Israel for the Feast of the Tabernacles. These pilgrims were subsequently repatriated following a series of coordinated attacks on Israel by Hamas on October 7.
The matter is scheduled to be revisited on February 6, 2026, marking another step in this complex legal dispute. This development reflects the ongoing complexities in international travel and legal obligations amid geopolitical tensions, underscoring the importance of clarity and compliance in such arrangements.
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