Fiji’s Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka, has reiterated the country’s unwavering support for Israel, despite the arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in connection with alleged war crimes. In an interview, Rabuka emphasized that the warrant is directed at an individual and does not reflect on the State of Israel as a whole. He stated Israel’s right to self-defense and underscored Fiji’s international obligations as a UN member.
Rabuka highlighted the personal nature of the arrest warrant against Netanyahu, distinguishing it from the collective identity of Israel. In September 2023, Rabuka had met with Netanyahu and extended an invitation for him to visit Fiji, although he refrained from commenting on the status of that invitation now.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently issued arrest warrants not only for Netanyahu but also for former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a senior Hamas official. The ICC claims there are reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu has committed war crimes, including using starvation as a weapon and engaging in murder and persecution against Palestinians during and following the October 7 conflict.
These warrants are significant, as they mark the first time an Israeli leader has been summoned by an international court for actions related to the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the issuance of the warrants does not guarantee arrests, they could limit Netanyahu’s future travel to ICC member nations.
In response to these developments, Netanyahu’s office has labeled the warrants as “absurd and anti-Semitic,” asserting that the actions of the ICC are politically motivated. The Prime Minister’s office firmly maintains that Israel is engaged in a just war in response to attacks from Hamas and is determined to achieve the objectives set forth at the conflict’s onset.
This situation underscores the complexities of international relations and accountability. While Fiji remains committed to its diplomatic ties with Israel, there is hope that ongoing discussions about justice and human rights will lead to more peaceful resolutions in the region.
Summary: Fiji’s Prime Minister supports Israel amidst an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu over alleged war crimes. He distinguishes between the individual and the nation, while the ICC’s actions mark a historic moment in international law. Netanyahu’s office rejects the warrants, insisting on the justness of Israel’s military actions.
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