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Israel–Federated States of Micronesia relations

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Israel–Federated States of Micronesia relations
Map indicating locations of Israel and Federated States of Micronesia

Israel
Micronesia

Israel – Micronesia relations are diplomatic and other relations between the State of Israel and the Federated States of Micronesia. Israel was among the first countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with Micronesia.[1]

History

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Asterio Takesy, Micronesia's Ambassador to the United States and Israel, said: "Israel was one of the first countries that welcomed us — extended a friendly hand of welcoming us into the world community even before we joined the United Nations and before we became independent."[2]

Micronesia is a close voting ally of Israel at the United Nations and other international organizations, particularly on the resolutions that are critical of Israel.[3] According to the FSM government, the support is owing in part to its Judeo-Christian tradition.[4] Additional reasons for the close bilateral relations include economic interests, with Israel providing aid to the FSM in areas such as agriculture, technical training, and health care training.[5][6][7]

In 2000, during a State visit to Israel by Micronesian President Leo A. Falcam, the two countries signed a "Protocol on Cooperation" to "give expression to the warm relations between the two states, and Israel's appreciation of the unreserved support it receives from Micronesia in the UN".[8] In 2010, Micronesian President Emanuel Mori conducted another State visit to Israel.[3] Greeting him, Israeli President Shimon Peres described Micronesia as "one of Israel's greatest friends". Mori explained to his counterpart "the vulnerability of Pacific islands to the impacts of climate change".[1] That same year, Peres thanked (non-resident) Micronesian Ambassador Yosiwo P. George for "his country's enduring friendship and 'outstanding' support": "I don't know the size of your country, but I know the size of your friendship." Ambassador George replied that Micronesia and Israel shared "values and interests". He asked Israel for technical and economic assistance, as well as medical training programmes, which Peres promised to supply.[9][10] Israel also supplies Micronesia with experts on citrus crops and irrigation techniques, medical technicians, and scholarships to Israeli colleges.[11]

Micronesia is a former United Nations Trust Territory administered by the United States. It became sovereign in 1986 through a Compact of Free Association, which establishes mutual economic and defence responsibilities between the two countries. The Marshall Islands and Palau -the other two countries which consistently support Israel at the United Nations[12]- are also former U.S. territories bound by the Compact.

Examples of votes in the UN

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  • On July 7, 1998, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 52/250, granting Palestine "additional rights and privileges of participation in the sessions and work of the General Assembly". The resolution was adopted by 124 votes to 4, with 10 abstentions. The countries which voted against were the Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, the Marshall Islands and the United States.[13]
  • On 17 May 2004, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 58/292, affirming the military occupation of the OPT and the need for a sovereign and independent Palestinian State. The resolution was adopted by 140 votes to 6, with 11 abstentions. The countries which voted against were Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau and the United States.
  • On July 20, 2004, the General Assembly Plenary Tenth Emergency Special Session “voted overwhelmingly to demand that Israel heed [the] advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt construction on its security barrier in the West Bank, tear down the portions built on Palestinian land, and provide reparations to Palestinians whose lives have been harmed by the wall”. The Assembly adopted the motion by 150 votes in favour to 6 against, with 10 abstentions. Those voting against were Australia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, the Marshall Islands, Palau and the United States.[14]
  • On December 18, 2009, the General Assembly adopted a resolution “reaffirm(ing) the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine”, by 171 votes to 6. Those voting against were the Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau and the United States.[15] It was one of a series of such resolutions in December 2009, on which Micronesia consistently cast one of the few dissenting votes.[16][17]
  • In December 2017, Micronesia 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]
  • In December 2023, Micronesia was one of just 10 countries (including the United States and Israel) to vote against a motion adopted by the United Nations General Assembly calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.[19]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "FSM and Nauru presidents meet Israel's Peres". Radio New Zealand International. January 22, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  2. ^ "Dean Rotbart: The unique alliance between Israel and Micronesia, with a Colorado twist, mvariety.com 15 December 2015".
  3. ^ a b "FSM delegation visits Israel". Radio New Zealand International. January 19, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2011.
  4. ^ President Mori and Members of the FSM Delegation to UN General Assembly Met with Jewish Leaders in NY to Strengthen Friendship. FSM Permanent Mission to the UN. 28 September 2009
  5. ^ Micronesia-Israel Relations. Israfax, Canadian Institute for Jewish Research, September 7, 1998, as cited by Jewish Virtual Library.
  6. ^ "Island Medicine", Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, October 16, 2002
  7. ^ "Micronesia-Israel Relations", Jewish Virtual Library, 1998
  8. ^ "President of Micronesia Visits Israel", Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, September 12, 2000
  9. ^ "Presentation of ambassadorial credentials becomes a family affair", Jerusalem Post, January 12, 2010
  10. ^ "Alliance with Israel creates development opportunities for Pacific Islands" Archived 2010-02-13 at the Wayback Machine, Media Global, February 4, 2010
  11. ^ "Israel and Pacific republics, united by an island mentality", Washington Post, February 1, 2010
  12. ^ "Palau: Israel's best friend at the UN"[permanent dead link‍], Jerusalem Post, June 29, 2006
  13. ^ "United Nations General Assembly Resolution 52-250", Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  14. ^ “U.N. General Assembly Demands Israeli Compliance” Archived 2006-05-06 at the Wayback Machine, UN Observer, January 20, 2004
  15. ^ “Time for plain talk on Israel” Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, Times Herald, January 17, 2010
  16. ^ Address: Peaceful Settlement, Palestinian Rights Committee, Jerusalem, Special Information Programme, Palestinian Rights Division, Syrian Globe, United Nations General Assembly, 2 December 2009.
  17. ^ General Assembly, on Recommendation of Fourth Committee, Adopts 26 Texts, including 9 on Arab‑Israeli Conflict, 11 on Decolonization. 9 December 2011.
  18. ^ "Jerusalem: UN resolution rejects Trump's declaration", BBC News, 21 December 2017
  19. ^ "U.N. resolution on Gaza cease-fire: Which countries voted for and against it". Retrieved 2024-01-30.
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