Israel–Marshall Islands relations

Israel–Marshall Islands relations

Israel
Marshall Islands

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

Bilateral relations

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 William Lacy Clay, Jr. 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]

In 2005, the Marshall Islands President, Kessai Hesa Note, visited Israel, asking for Israel's help in persuading the USA to acknowledge responsibility for the damaging long-term effects of nuclear weapons testing on the people of the Marshall Islands.[12][13][14][15] Accompanying President Note were Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Marshall Islands Gerald Zackios and Bikini Atoll Senator Tomaki Juda.[16]

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".[12]

Criticism

Ned Curthoys and Debjani Ganguly, in their book about Edward Said, a Palestinian-American advocate for Palestinian rights, belittled the country's support for Israel, sarcastically describing it as "heavyweight... Marshall Islands".[17] Press TV in Iran wrote in December 2011, in pointing to the fact that the Marshall Islands were one of the few supporters of Israel in two Egyptian-submitted UN resolutions: "One may face difficulty locating Marshall Islands ... on the map. [This country is a] member.. to the United Nations. [It has] no place in the international arena, but [its vote] count[s] in the General Assembly of the United Nations."[18]

Trade and aid

In 1987, Marshall Islands have purchased 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 has signed a letter of intent to purchase another desalination plant from Israel to supply Majuro with fresh water.[20][21]

Also on 2002, a pilot poultry project has been 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 February 13, 2012.
  2. ↑ Marshall Islands: Political Status. Office of Insular Affairs.
  3. ↑ Antony Loewenstein (2010). My Israel Question. Melbourne Univ. Publishing. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  4. ↑ Marda Dunsky (2008). Pens and swords: how the American mainstream media report the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Columbia University Press. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  5. ↑ Norman G. Finkelstein (2011). This Time We Went Too Far: Truth and Consequences of the Gaza Invasion. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  6. ↑ . Pacific magazine (PacificBasin Communications; Vol. 27). 2002. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  7. ↑ Noam Chomsky (2004). Middle East Illusions: Including Peace in the Middle East? Reflections on Justice and Nationhood. Rowman & Littlefield. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  8. ↑ Benjamin A. Gilman (July 14, 1999). The Treatment of Israel by the United Nations. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  9. ↑ Congressional Record, V. 150, Pt. 11, June 25, 2004 to July 14, 2004. Government Printing Office. 2009. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  10. ↑ "Q&A with envoy to the UN Gillerman". The Jerusalem Post. August 4, 2004. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  11. ↑ "Honorary Consul Certificate Award Ceremony". Honorary-consulate-of-the-marshall-islands-in-israel.org.il. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  12. 1 2 RMI NEWS: President Kessai Note on State Visit to Israel, Aenet Rowa, Yokwe Online, November 29, 2005
  13. ↑ Marshall Islands proud to support Israel. Greer Fay Cashman. The Jerusalem Post. 11.28.2005
  14. ↑ "Marshall Islands President asks for Israel's help". Pacific Islands Broadcasting Association. November 30, 2005. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  15. ↑ Aenet Rowa (November 29, 2005). "President Kessai Note on State Visit to Israel". RMI News. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Head of State visits Baha'i World Centre". Bahai World News. December 7, 2005. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  17. ↑ Ned Curthoys, Debjani Ganguly. Edward Said: the legacy of a public intellectual. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  18. ↑ Mohyeddin Sajedi (December 8, 2011). "Israel sinking in mounting isolation". Press TV (Iran). Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  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. June 2003
  25. ↑ "Mashav Highlights: 2010" (PDF). Retrieved February 13, 2012.

External links

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