AS Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was introduced to the podium to address the United Nations General Assembly’s 80 session general debate, on September 26, 2025, many nations walked out in protest as the war in Gaza and Palestinian territory continues unabated.
But it did not deter Mr Netanyahu from delivering his speech. The PM highlighted the atrocities caused by the Hamas on October 7, 2023, and Israel convictions in defending its territorial boundaries, protecting its citizens and fighting its enemies.
Few nations stood with Israel, among them, Papua New Guinea. Prime Minister James Marape joined other nations calling for dialogue and peace as the war continues with thousands of lives lost and the humanitarian crisis reaching its maximum peak.
Mr Marape maintained PNG commitment to international relations as “friends to all and enemies to none.”
He said although PNG is a diversified nation, its constitution binds PNG as one people and one country.
“Our Constitution protects all faiths, sending a message that religion must never divide humanity — coexistence must.”
Mr Marape said Papua New Guinea has known conflict.
“For a decade, Bougainville suffered violence, but through dialogue under UN oversight we achieved the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement. He said.
“Not a bullet has been fired since. We continue to resolve questions of Bougainville’s future through dialogue and constitutional process.”
“Bougainville is a reminder that peace, when built on genuine will, can endure.”
Marape’s statement reflects PNG’s voice to promote peace and respect for individual existence and pursuit of happiness.
A Christian leader and entrepreneur Stanley Wasi has thanked Mr Marape for standing with the nation of Israel as the war with Hamas continues in Gaza.
While peace is the ultimate solution that can restore normality in the war ravage Gaza, affecting many civilians. He said seeing pictures of innocent women and children suffering at both sides is saddening and the war must cease.
Mr Wasi said every human being is created by God and can live in harmony as a family in their respective nations on this planet as one global home. Irrespective of different opinions, cultural and religious believes and segregation.
Israel also has its jurisdiction to survive as a nation on the Holy land, Wasi said.
Papua New Guinean relations with Israel have been deeply rooted with the Christian Faith, the teachings of the Bible as well as international relations.
Papua New Guinea continues its relations with the nation of Israel with its embassy established in Jerusalem.
The Innovative Agriculture Industry Limited is an Israeli company that has implemented various projects in PNG, including, dairy farm, fruit and vegetables farm, poultry and egg production, Vanilla production, Agriculture technology and other development projects.
On September 5, 2023, PNG opened new diplomatic mission in Jerusalem, Israel becoming the first Pacific Island to do so.
During the establishment the Prime Minister said Papua New Guinea highly values its bilateral relations which, over the years have been based on strong Judeo-Christian values and common, shared interests.
Mr Marape said the value of Christianity is immeasurable. Character of nations are built by values and moral principles, and Christianity – which is deeply embedded in Israel’s faith of Judaism – gives to us our values and moral principles.
“Papua New Guinea finds its Christian heritage in this country, Israel; as we uphold these values and continue to believe in the God of Israel.” He said.
PNG has a lot to gain from the Israeli economy through its high technology systems in Agriculture, Education, Finance and Resource and Infrastructure Development.
Mr Wasi and many Christians in PNG have shown their gratitude to Marape for his recent comment during the 80th United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to you, Prime Minister James Marape, for your bold and unwavering stand with the State of Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even when many chose to walk out and turn their backs.”
“Your courage to remain steadfast reflects moral conviction and spiritual alignment with the eternal Word of God.” He said
Wasi referred to the Holy Scriptures, which declares; “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” (Psalms 122:6)
He said by standing with Israel; “You have aligned Papua New Guinea with the covenant promises of God. History testifies that nations who rose against Israel were broken, while those who stood with her prospered.”
God Himself is Israel’s defender.
“He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalms 121:4).
Wasi urged others to be mindful of the sobering reality that throughout history, the Jewish people have faced relentless hatred, persecution, and attempts at annihilation—from Pharaoh in Egypt, to Haman in Persia, to Hitler in Nazi Germany.
“This hatred is not natural; it is spiritual, rooted in Satan’s war against God’s chosen people. Today, we continue to see terrorist organisations—some even tacitly supported within corridors of global institutions like the United Nations—waging secret and open war against Israel’s existence.”
Yet the Word of God assures us that Israel will never be uprooted: “I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them.” (Amos 9:15).
The present global hostility and walkouts we witness are but shadows of the greater conflict to come—Armageddon—when nations will gather against Israel (Zechariah 14:2), and God Himself will intervene in power to defend His people.
Mr Marape, by your action you have not only made a political statement, but also a prophetic declaration: that Papua New Guinea chooses to be counted among the sheep nations (Matthew 25:31–46) who stand with God’s people, rather than the goat nations who reject them. For this, may the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob bless you and bless our nation.
“We pray the Lord grants your wisdom, strength, and protection as you continue to lead our people with truth and righteousness. May Papua New Guinea reap the blessings of standing with Israel in these critical prophetic times. “He said.
Recently Israel marked the one-year anniversary of the devastating Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages taken captives by Hamas.
So far, 207 hostages have been brought home while 48 still remain in Gaza.
Palestinian Ministry of Health has reported that 67,173 people has been killed in Gaza since October 2023, among them 20,179 are children.
