Israel has been admitted as a “sectoral partner” to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), marking a significant step in its diplomatic engagement with the Pacific region. The decision was made at the PIF leaders’ meeting held in Palau in early September and was publicly announced by Israeli officials on Wednesday.
The Pacific Islands Forum is a regional body that includes island nations across the Pacific Ocean, and Israel’s inclusion strengthens its ties with a group of countries that have become among its most consistent supporters at the United Nations. Israel’s membership as a sectoral partner places it below the “strategic” partners category, which includes the United States, China, and the European Union, but above the status of development partners like Taiwan.
This move follows recent diplomatic developments, including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Naoero (formerly Nauru) opening embassies in Jerusalem, while Israel has established a diplomatic mission in Suva, Fiji. Israel’s ambassador to Australia, Hillel Newman, described the advancement as part of a broader strategy to deepen cooperation with Pacific nations in areas such as health and agriculture. He highlighted ongoing exchanges of delegations and projects aimed at benefiting the island countries.
Israel values the Pacific Islands countries for their support, particularly at the UN, where it faces opposition from many member states. In one notable example, five Pacific Island countries—Federated States of Micronesia, Naoero, Palau, Papua New Guinea, and Tonga—were among a small group favoring Israel against a 2025 UN declaration endorsing a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Dr. Newman characterized the UN as a “politicised body” that often adopts resolutions critical of Israel, underscoring the importance of cultivating alliances in regions such as the Pacific, Latin America, and the Indo-Pacific.
Australia’s response to Israel’s PIF membership remains unclear. The country’s Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, was not available for comment on whether Australia supported the move. The timing of the decision coincided with ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canberra and Jerusalem over Australia’s recognition of Palestinian statehood and domestic issues relating to antisemitism. Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the PIF summit but it is not known if he actively endorsed the decision.
In New Zealand, opposition Labour Party figures criticized Prime Minister Christopher Luxon for a perceived lack of transparency regarding Israel’s acceptance into the forum’s partnership structure. Labour’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Vanuash Walters, called for an explanation of New Zealand’s position on the matter. Luxon characterized Israel’s new role as a “lower-tier” membership status within the PIF and emphasized that the decision lay within the forum’s remit. He also referenced an earlier statement warning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could face arrest if he visited New Zealand following an International Criminal Court ruling that issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and other officials later this year.
The Pacific Islands Forum is expected to review partner membership tiers next year amid pressures from some pro-China member states to challenge Taiwan’s current development partner status. Israel’s recent admission reflects its broader objective of expanding its diplomatic footprint in strategically important regions.