By Katalina Siasau
Prime Minister Dr. ’Aisake Eke has expressed Tonga's support towards Israel saying “Tonga has always support in what we believe is right for us," when asked about Tonga's United Nation’s vote against a two-state solution.
PM Eke was responding to questions from Matangi Tonga on why Tonga voted against the UN resolution, Eke said, “Tonga has always support in what we believe is right for us, in that regard we always supported Israel."
On the Israel-Gaza conflict, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution endorsing the New York Declaration on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution. Tonga was one of only ten countries alongside Israel and the United States who voted against the resolution. New Zealand and Australia voted in favour.
He said there are two sides on the debate on Israel and Hamas, and Tonga is on the side that believes the issue is what occurred on 7 October and that Hamas should release the Israeli hostages immediately.
He added that the issue is Hamas holding the hostages.
PM Eke also said Tonga supports President Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which the President released this week.
On Trump's peace plan, Eke said Tonga is supporting "hostages to be released immediately, a ceasefire...”
“So right now, Tonga supports the immediate release (of hostages) so that there can be negotiation on what the next steps are.”
“That is what Tonga supports, New Zealand and other countries also support that as well as the United States," he said.
The PM had also called upon his Trade Minister, Kapelieli Lanumata, to address reports that Tonga was one of the countries that walked out during Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu's national statement to the UN last week.
Minister Lanumata who was part of Tonga's delegation, said the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders were holding a meeting with the Secretary General of the UN, at the same time as Netanyahu's speech.
“We did not walk out because we were not there at the first place," Lanumata said.
In October 2023, Tonga was one of only 14 countries, including the US and Israel, to reject the first UN resolution for a ceasefire in Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Genocide
A UN report released last month in September found that Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. Meanwhile, Israel is pressing on with its offensive in Gaza.
