Israel Says It Joins Pacific Islands Forum as Sectoral Partner

Israel says it has been accepted as a partner in the Pacific Islands Forum after its foreign minister requested membership during a June visit to Fiji. Reporting indicates Israel will join the Forum’s Sectoral Partnership Stream, a second-tier arrangement that allows engagement with regional priorities but less direct access to leaders than the strategic-partner tier occupied by countries such as the United States, China and the European Union. Israel has identified water management, desalination, agriculture, climate adaptation, innovation and sustainable development as areas for cooperation, with a joint plan and progress-monitoring mechanism expected. Reports differ on whether the Forum has publicly confirmed the decision, and the new partnership tiers are expected to be reviewed after a year. Israel’s push to deepen Pacific ties comes as it faces international pressure over the Gaza war and as several Pacific countries have strengthened diplomatic relations with Israel, including by opening embassies in Jerusalem.