Israel stands ready to help Solomon Islands
BY MIKE PUIA
IN JERUSALEM, ISRAEL
THE Israeli Government says it stands ready to support Pacific Island countries, including the Solomon Islands, improve their people’s livelihood and address pressing issues Pacific countries are facing.
The assurance was made by the Director General of the Israeli’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yuval Rotem.
Ambassador Rotem was speaking to a media team from the Pacific during their visit to the Ministry in Jerusalem.
He said their government has an international aid package of about $US480 million that is offered yearly to countries around the world that needs their support, an aid Pacific countries can tap.
He said Israel’s support ranges from agriculture and water security, border security to disaster preparedness.
Rotem said Israel is keen to collaborate and share experiences with Pacific Island countries in these areas.
He said Israel shares common grounds with Pacific countries and it stands ready to help.
But, he said Pacific countries need to do more on the world stage in order to be visible to them as there are many competing players for their support.
Rotem said this is something Pacific countries themselves need to do on their own so as not to be forgotten.
He said Pacific nations can put their act together and “seize the moment”.
