Faith Harvest Church Senior Pastor Reverend Manasa Kolivuso has publicly addressed the contentious 2023 Fiji Airways Israel charter, expressing his acceptance of responsibility while urging for a clear distinction between facts and misinformation as the legal matter is still ongoing.
In a comprehensive statement, Kolivuso acknowledged his involvement as one of the leaders behind the Israel pilgrimage and confirmed his signature on the Deed of Forbearance and Guarantee associated with the charter agreement. He emphasized that this information is public and that he will not shy away from his role in the affair, reiterating the importance of respecting the legal process regardless of its outcome.
Kolivuso explained that his two-year silence was a conscious choice aimed at avoiding the escalation of public discourse and not interfering with legal proceedings. However, persistent personal attacks and character challenges on social media have prompted him to speak out.
He recounted how enthusiasm for the 2023 pilgrimage surged following a previous trip to Israel in 2022, which led the organizers to seek a charter flight due to logistical issues with commercial options. They enlisted the services of Pacific Voyager and WABS Pacific to facilitate the charter arrangement with Fiji Airways.
Kolivuso stated that a funding strategy was devised to cover the F$2.5 million charter cost, which included ticket sales, cargo space sales, and the potential influx of tourism from Israel. Unfortunately, delays with finalizing the charter agreement meant that this financial plan could not be executed in time. The charter contract was only signed a week before the scheduled departure, after payment deadlines had already passed.
Facing the possibility of incurring cancellation fees of up to F$3 million, the organizers felt compelled to sign the Deed of Forbearance and Guarantee just days before the flight.
He also commended the Fiji Government, Fiji Airways, and their crew for successfully bringing Fijians back home from Israel following the October 7, 2023 attacks, a task Kolivuso described as both risky and accomplished. He raised the question of whether the return flight should be classified as a charter or a repatriation flight due to the presence of 13 Fijian students and family members of Fiji Airways staff on board.
After their return, efforts were initiated to negotiate a repayment plan with Fiji Airways, but the group defaulted, resulting in ongoing court proceedings. Kolivuso confirmed that he personally made a significant contribution to the first repayment installment.
Reflecting on this experience, Kolivuso acknowledged the valuable lessons learned and offered his sincere apologies to the pilgrims, his church, community, family, and supporters for any inconvenience caused. He stated that he will refrain from further media engagements to respect the judicial process. “There is a case still pending, and whatever the outcome, I stand ready to accept it,” he affirmed.
FBC News is currently reaching out to relevant authorities for their perspectives on the unfolding situation.
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