Pacific nations under fire as ceasefire calls grow in ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, calls for a ceasefire continue to grow louder across the Pacific, with activists warning that inaction amounts to complicity in genocide.

Israel has ramped up its military campaign across Gaza and the wider region this week, launching strikes not only in Palestine but also in Lebanon, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar, and Yemen. At least 150 people have been killed and more than 540 injured in the latest bombardments.

Since the conflict escalated in October 2023, more than 64,000 Palestinians have died, including over 400 children who have starved to death, according to reports from the region.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings, Pacific activist Michel Mulipola rejects the framing of the conflict as a war. He says in this conflict, only Israel has military armaments consisting of tanks, fighter jets, drones and bunker bombs.

“That is backed by world powers. The other group is an armed resistance trying to protect their people, homes and land. It's not warfare, it's one military group constantly bombarding a small region in Gaza,” Mulipola says.

“We’re approaching two years of this latest relentless genocidal campaign by the state of Israel. One day of resistance on October 7 doesn't justify genocide. Palestinians have been under violent occupation since 1948.

“Israel assassinated the Yemeni Prime Minister, a head of state. It's not self-defence, that's military aggression. That is a war crime and that’s terrorism. Israel has never kept the peace in the so-called Middle East, it's always been the aggressor. It’s ridiculousto watch it unfold and see nothing being done about it by the so-called world powers.”

Watch Michel Mulipola’s full interview below.

In June, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly passed a resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The resolution was overwhelmingly supported, with 149 nations voting in favour, 12 against, and 19 abstentions.

Among the 12 against were Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu. Mulipola says many Pacific leaders are heavily influenced by Christian Zionism - a belief system linking evangelical Christian theology with unwavering support for Israel.

He says the public in many Pacific nations, particularly Fiji, opposes their governments’ positions, but leaders continue with US-Israeli interests.

“Even though I am often disappointed by our Moana nations that constantly vote with Israel and the United States for UN resolutions, it is their right to vote that way. But our governments are not our people and our communities.

“We often see governments acting against the will of the people. The Fijian Prime Minister [Sitiveni Rabuka] just yesterday said that establishing an embassy in Jerusalem is a government decision, despite the criticism from the Fijian people and from the Moana.”

Mulipola also condemned the New Zealand Government’s inaction, accusing the Coalition of abandoning Aotearoa’s proud history of moral leadership. He says the current Coalition Government consistently looks to other nations, like the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada, on what to do.

The Coalition consists of (left to right) Winston Peters, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and David Seymour. Photo/Facebook/Winston Peters

“It's the little brother going, ‘I'll wait for my big brothers to tell me what to do and how to act’. This country has a history of standing up against apartheid and nuclear proliferation, but is now supporting genocide through its inaction.

“[They] acted quickly on sanctions for Russia, and so there needs to be sanctions on Israel for the genocidal attacks on Palestine. Expel the Israeli ambassador and show the world that Aotearoa will not be complicit in genocide.”

Mulipola urges Pacific people and all New Zealanders to mobilise. A major protest is planned for this Saturday, with thousands expected to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge in a march for Palestinian solidarity.

Police and transport agencies have confirmed road closures will be in place to accommodate the march.