VISITING Israeli Minister Gideon Sa’ar has defended Israel’s military actions in the Middle East and placed responsibility for instability on Iran.
Asked whether Israel was responsible for the economic fallout from the war in the Middle East, Sa’ar said: “My answer is simple. Iran is responsible.”
He accused Iran of attacking more than 10 states during the conflict, including strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure, and claimed Teheran had failed to meet commitments on its nuclear program.
Sa’ar framed the issue as a global security threat, warning that if the most extremist regime in the world obtained nuclear weapons, it would be very bad news for world peace and for world order.
He also cited Israel’s past strikes on nuclear programs in Iraq and Syria as examples of preventive action.
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka sought to reassure the public that closer relations with Israel would not draw the country into conflict.
He said the partnership was “purely based on bilateral ties” and that Fiji “will not become militarily involved in any of the conflicts.”
Israel previously supported Fiji by providing four Dabur Class patrol boats in 1991 for border security and patrol operations.
