Six Pacific Island nations were among 14 countries who voted against the UN Resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. These island nations included Fiji, Tonga, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, and FSM.
There was support from these nations to the Canadian amendment to the resolution, to address actual ground realities and correct factual omissions, identify and condemn Hamas for initiating the crisis, holding hostages, and using them as human shields since the October 7 terrorist attack. But the amendment fell short of the 2/3 majority and was not adopted.
The resolution however called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all civilians, the protection of civilians and international institutions, and ensuring the safe passage of humanitarian aid into the Strip.
The absence of an amendment condemning the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October, was chief among reasons that Pacific Island nations opposed the resolution. This also applied to those who abstained.
Five Pacific Island nations were among the 45 that abstained from voting. They are Kiribati, Palau, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Samoa.
Solomon Island was the only Pacific Island nation that voted in favour, together with Australia and New Zealand among the overwhelming 120 nations supporting the resolution.
Pacific Island countries have traditionally been strong supporters of Israel. Their predominantly Christian religious background has more alliance with Jewish beliefs than the opposition Muslim dogma.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has spoken out that a ceasefire would be equivalent to a surrender for Israel to a terrorist organisation that brutally started the crisis and still holds Israeli hostages.
The United States would have surrendered to terrorism after the Pearl Habour attack; and neither would they have surrendered after the 19/11 terrorism attack, if they entered into a ceasefire arrangement, Mr. Netanyahu said.