In recent years, several Pacific Island nations have adopted notably pro-Israel positions, voting in Tel Aviv’s favour at the United Nations and even opening embassies in Jerusalem.
Although these nations are geographically small, with limited resources and populations numbering only in the millions, their diplomatic support often carries symbolic weight far exceeding their actual influence — particularly in international forums such as the UN.
A recent analytical paper published by the Futures Research Centre titled “Out of the Shadows: Why Do Pacific Island Nations Support Israel?”, written by Hussein Ma’loom, explores the indicators, motives, and potential risks behind this alignment, and how Israel uses it to manufacture an image of broad global support.
Indicators and Motives of Support
A number of Pacific Island countries — including Nauru, Micronesia, Palau, and Papua New Guinea — have demonstrated consistent and open alignment with Israel both in international arenas and bilateral relations. The key indicators observed over recent years include:
1. Strengthening Diplomatic Relations
Since the 1990s, several states such as Nauru, Palau and Micronesia have established full diplomatic relations with Israel. Some even announced plans to open embassies in Jerusalem following the United States’ 2017 recognition of the city as Israel’s capital.
While these nations lack the financial and human capacity for a wide diplomatic presence abroad, such decisions carry enormous symbolic value for Israel.
- In August 2019, Nauru officially recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
- In September 2023, Papua New Guinea became the first Pacific state to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
- Most recently, on 17 September 2025, Fiji inaugurated its own embassy in Jerusalem during the visit of Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka — becoming the seventh country in the world to do so, after the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay.
2. Bilateral Cooperation and Aid Incentives
One major reason for this alignment is economic dependency. Most Pacific Island nations face severe development challenges and rely heavily on external aid.
Tel Aviv offers them limited but targeted assistance through the MASHAV Development Cooperation Program, which operates in health, agriculture, and renewable energy.
For countries dependent on foreign aid, even modest Israeli assistance carries value. In exchange, Israel gains political backing and UN votes, which help counter its global isolation.
This was evident in the UN General Assembly vote of 12 September 2025, where the New York Declaration supporting a two-state solution passed with 142 votes — yet Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea opposed it.
Moreover, these countries’ deep economic and defence ties with the United States compel them to mirror Washington’s foreign policy — and as America remains Israel’s chief patron, the Pacific bloc follows suit.
Revealing Motives Behind the Alignment
1. Strategic Alliance with Washington
Several Pacific states — including Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau — maintain Compacts of Free Association with the United States. These agreements guarantee hundreds of millions of dollars in annual aid and American defence protection in exchange for strategic alignment.
Given the US–Israel alliance, these states often vote in lockstep with Washington, including in matters related to Israel.
Additionally, as China expands its influence across the Pacific, these small states see closer ties with Washington (and, by extension, Israel) as a security and diplomatic hedge in the growing US–China rivalry.
2. Religious Influence
Religion also plays a defining role. In nations such as Micronesia and Palau, where Evangelical Christian denominations dominate, Israel is perceived through a biblical lens. Political leaders openly frame their support as a matter of faith, intertwining theological conviction with foreign policy — an ideological narrative Tel Aviv has long capitalised on.
3. Quest for Geopolitical Relevance
Tiny Pacific nations, often overlooked in global politics, seek ways to amplify their presence on the world stage. Aligning with Israel provides symbolic leverage — opening embassies in Jerusalem or voting with Tel Aviv grants them visibility and bargaining capital in international diplomacy.
This approach forms part of a broader “Out of the International Shadow” strategy, through which these nations hope to project significance and attract global attention despite their limited power.
Repercussions and Risks
While such stances may yield short-term diplomatic visibility, continued alignment with Israel carries reputational and strategic risks.
Supporting an occupying power alienates them from much of the Global South, particularly the Arab and Islamic worlds, where solidarity with Palestine is a moral and political constant.
Their credibility in championing global justice causes, such as climate justice, is also undermined. How can nations demanding fairness on environmental issues simultaneously back a regime accused of genocide and apartheid? This contradiction exposes them to charges of double standards and moral inconsistency.
Limited Impact
Despite Israel’s attempts to amplify such support in media campaigns, the strategic impact of these Pacific alliances remains minimal. Their economic and military power is negligible, and their combined population barely reaches a few million.
In reality, these relationships amount to symbolic diplomacy and transactional benefits, with no real capacity to alter the global consensus that continues to grow in solidarity with Palestine.
Should these nations persist in their pro-Israel alignment, they may soon face political backlash and moral isolation as international pressure mounts against Tel Aviv’s occupation and mass atrocities.
