Israel–Marshall Islands relations

Israel–Marshall Islands relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Marshall Islands

Israel
Marshall Islands

Israel–Marshall Islands relations are diplomatic and other relations between Israel and the Marshall Islands.

History

The Marshall Islands has established diplomatic relations with Israel since 1987,[1] and has traditionally been a close voting ally of Israel at the United Nations, along with the US.[2][3][4][5][6][7] In July 1999, lauding the support of the Marshall Islands for supporting Israel in a UN vote, Congressman Benjamin Gilman of New York, Chair of the International Relations Committee of the US Congress described it saying: "Small nation... perhaps, but [its] courageous actions showed a sense of integrity greater than [its] size".[8] On July 6, 2004, U.S. Representative Lacy Clay of Missouri said in the United States Congress that "The Marshall Islands has been ... a good friend to ... the State of Israel".[9] Asked in 2004 why the Marshall Islands tend to support Israel in UN votes that are against Israel, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Dan Gillerman opined that they do it "because they believe is right — not because of their own interests."[10]

Michael Ronen is the Israeli ambassador to thirteen Pacific Island nations, including the Marshall Islands. Ran Rahav serves as the Marshall Islands Honorary Consul in Israel.[11] Charles T. Domnick is the Israel Honorary Consul in Marshall Islands.[12]

In 2005, the Marshall Islands President, Kessai Hesa Note, visited Israel, asking for Israel's help in persuading the US to acknowledge responsibility for the damaging long-term effects of nuclear weapons testing on the people of the Marshall Islands.[13][14][15][16] Accompanying President Note were Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands Gerald Zackios and Bikini Atoll Senator Tomaki Juda.[17] During the visit, president Note thanked Israel for providing agricultural assistance and medical aid to the Marshall Islands and added, "We are proud to support the State of Israel as the vanguard of democracy in this region despite the constant acts of terrorism that have beset your great nation and people over the years".[13]

In December 2017, the Marshall Islands was one of just nine countries (including the United States and Israel) to vote against a motion adopted by the United Nations General Assembly condemning the United States' recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.[18]

Trade and aid

In 1987, Marshall Islands purchased a water desalination facility from the Israeli company IDE Technologies, used to supply Ebeye Island. The facility is a 1,100 tonnes (1,100 long tons; 1,200 short tons) per day MED (Multiple-effect distillation) plant, operated using the excess heat of the Ebeye power plant.[19] In 1992, Marshall Islands signed a letter of intent to purchase another desalination plant from Israel to supply Majuro with fresh water.[20][21]

In 2002, a pilot poultry project was established in Laura village on Majuro Atoll, with Israeli support.[22][23]

In 2003, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs Center for International Cooperation (MASHAV) supplied the Marshall Islands with experts on citrus crops and irrigation.[24]

In June 2010, a team of Israeli ophthalmologists arrived in the Marshall Islands to perform cataract, oculoplastics and sight-restoring surgical operations. The mission was jointly organized by MASHAV and an Israeli NGO, Eye from Zion.[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Marshall Islands: Diplomatic Relations". Register-iri.com. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  2. ^ Marshall Islands: Political Status Archived 2012-02-20 at the Wayback Machine. Office of Insular Affairs.
  3. ^ Antony Loewenstein (2010). My Israel Question. Melbourne Univ. Publishing. ISBN 9780522859454. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  4. ^ Marda Dunsky (2008). Pens and swords: how the American mainstream media report the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231508261. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  5. ^ Norman G. Finkelstein (2011). This Time We Went Too Far: Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion. OR Books. ISBN 9781935928447. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  6. ^ x. PacificBasin Communications; Vol. 27. 2002. Retrieved 13 February 2012. {cite book}: |work= ignored (help)
  7. ^ Noam Chomsky (2004). Middle East Illusions: Including Peace in the Middle East? Reflections on Justice and Nationhood. Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN 9780742529779. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  8. ^ Benjamin A. Gilman (14 July 1999). The Treatment of Israel by the United Nations. DIANE. ISBN 9780756705466. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  9. ^ Congressional Record, V. 150, Pt. 11, June 25, 2004 to July 14, 2004. Government Printing Office. 2009. ISBN 9780160830891. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  10. ^ "Q&A with envoy to the UN Gillerman". The Jerusalem Post. 4 August 2004. Archived from the original on 21 May 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  11. ^ "Honorary Consul Certificate Award Ceremony". Honorary-consulate-of-the-marshall-islands-in-israel.org.il. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  12. ^ "Consulate in Majuro, Marshall Islands". Embassy Pages. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  13. ^ a b RMI NEWS: President Kessai Note on State Visit to Israel, Aenet Rowa, Yokwe Online, November 29, 2005
  14. ^ Marshall Islands proud to support Israel. Greer Fay Cashman. The Jerusalem Post. 11.28.2005
  15. ^ "Marshall Islands President asks for Israel's help". Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association. 30 November 2005. Archived from the original on 11 October 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  16. ^ Aenet Rowa (29 November 2005). "President Kessai Note on State Visit to Israel". RMI News. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  17. ^ "Head of State visits Baha'i World Centre". Bahai World News. 7 December 2005. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
  18. ^ "Jerusalem: UN resolution rejects Trump's declaration". BBC News. 21 December 2017.
  19. ^ A. Ophir. Low temperature, multi-effect distillation for cogeneration yielding the most efficient sea water desalination system. Desalination. Volume 84, Issues 1–3, October 1991, Pages 85–101
  20. ^ Marshall Islands Journal. 3.20.1992. p.3
  21. ^ The Israel economist, Volume 43. p. 42
  22. ^ Environmental planning, climate change and potential sea level rise: report on a mission to the Republic of the Marshall Islands. p.11
  23. ^ Pacific magazine, Volume 18. p.23
  24. ^ Avner Amir. Professional Consultancy Mission Report on Citrus Growing Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine. June 2003
  25. ^ "Mashav Highlights: 2010" (PDF). Retrieved 13 February 2012.

External links