Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has affirmed that Israel has the right to defend itself amidst ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, maintaining Fiji’s supportive stance toward Israel. In an interview with FijiLive, Rabuka expressed regret over the significant loss of life resulting from the conflict, which hinders regional peace efforts.
When asked about Fiji’s position in light of Israel’s operations targeting densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip, which include many women and children, the Prime Minister reiterated that Israel is entitled to self-defense. He emphasized that while it is tragic to lose lives, historical contexts indicate that achieving peace often incurs a human cost.
“Historically, there has always been a human cost associated with the pursuit of peace, stability, and restoring order. Unfortunately, in many, if not all, cases, this results in loss of life,” Rabuka stated. He articulated that true peace is characterized by the absence of fear, and international relations should be guided by the goal of eliminating such fear.
In related discussions, Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Senator Penny Wong, described the situation in the Middle East as divisive and tragic. She highlighted Australia’s commitment to addressing the circumstances with respect for differing viewpoints and reiterated the nation’s dedication to promoting peace and stability in the region. “As a middle power globally, we look for ways to contribute to peace and stability… Our goal is a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region,” Wong added.
Additionally, the Israeli Defence Force reported targeting Hamas command centers located near two schools in the Gaza Strip, specifically al-Zahraa School and the Abdel Fattah Hamoud School in eastern Gaza City. Palestine’s Wafa news agency has also reported that an Israeli strike on the Bureij refugee camp resulted in the deaths of at least 15 Palestinians.