Fighting antisemitism and changing the narrative: diplomacy, education, advocacy, and cultural engagement

It was an honour to be part of a small delegation to Vanuatu to offer support and advice to the Indigenous leaders from the different tribes and Islands. While I was there we were privileged to meet with the President his Excellency Rt Hon Nikenike Vurobaravu and the First Lady. He was a Vanuatuan diplomat and politician who has served as President of Vanuatu since 23 July 2022. We discussed many topics and issues and I was able to share about our visit to President Herzog of Israel last year. He is a true friend of Israel and hopes to visit Israel soon to show his solidarity of support.

We also had the privilege to have time with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu the Hon Jotham Napat who was elected as the Republic of Vanuatu's Prime Minister for the 14th Legislature on 11 February 2025. As we discussed the challenges of the 7.3 earthquake last year it was evident that his previous experiences as the Minister of Infrastructure and Public Utilities was helping to navigate the rebuild.

I shared about the formation of the IEJ and also discussed the bilateral relationship and strategic partnership with Israel that has had significant development over the years with the previous leaders. Israel has provided technical assistance in the provision of clean water (water purification, desalination and recycling) through the Department of Water Resources. Access to clean water is a major problem around Vanuatu and access to such expertise has greatly improved community welfare in Vanuatu. Israel has also provided assistance in providing educational training schemes (scholarships) to Vanuatu citizens especially those who are interested in pursuing further studies in areas of Aquaculture, Information Technology, Farming Technology, Irrigation Technology and Green Farming and Energy techniques.

It was not until 1993 that the country decided to recognise the state of Israel due to Vanuatu’s strong connection with Christianity which has its roots in Israel. The Vanuatu government reiterated its preference for bilateral negotiations between Israel and Palestine over multilateral diplomacy as a means to achieve a peaceful solution to this long-standing issue. Despite recognition of the Palestine Liberation Movement, Vanuatu chose to abstain from voting on the UN General Assembly resolution that upgraded the status of Palestine as a Non-Observer state to the UN and those resolutions that condemn the Israel settlement of the Occupied Palestine Territories. The PM reaffirmed his support for the right of sovereignty for the nation of Israel.

Hon Alfred Ngaro

Dr Sheree Trotter’s research and academic work defending Israel’s case has attracted attacks from indigenous activists. Accusations against her have at times been absurd and libellous. Upon learning that her work has been cited critically and inaccurately in university courses she decided it was time to respond.

In this two part series, she responds to the claim that ‘There is no Indigenous Support for Israel’, and demonstrates why the settler colonialist model is deeply flawed and dangerous for nations like New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the USA - and, of course, Israel. 

Click the images below to watch the videos and read the articles.

We’ve had a busy start to the year, holding meetings and attending rallies in Auckland, Warkworth, Hamilton, Dunedin, Invercargill and Christchurch, sharing about the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem, educating about Israel and antisemitism and standing in solidarity with Israel. Not surprisingly we sometimes also had protestors showing up to our meetings.

Olga came from a family of stalwart supporters of Israel. Her father Kenneth Meshoe and father-in-law Dumisani Washington are both highly regarded in the Jewish world. Olga built on these legacies to make a huge mark. Olga was honoured with a memorial service in Israel and a message from the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog. 

I had only become personally acquainted with Olga quite recently, but we had a meeting of hearts and minds. We discussed working together to fight antisemitism and to raise awareness of the Nigerian girls still held captive by Boko Haram. Ten years after their captivity, this is a tragedy seemingly forgotten by the world.  Olga shared her vision of an umbrella organisation of African nations to support Israel, similar to the Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem. 

We honour the memory of Olga Meshoe-Washington, and pray for her husband Joshua, two sons and wider family. May her memory be for a blessing.

Over the past few weeks, life in Israel has been defined by resilience in the face of ongoing security challenges and political complexities. The ceasefire in Gaza that permitted the return of many Israeli hostages is showing its cracks. Hamas' refusal to compromise in negotiations with Israel, coupled with unprovoked rocket attacks against Israeli communities, are threatening a full resumption of hostilities in both Gaza and Lebanon.

At the same time, the Israeli government is navigating internal debates over judicial reforms and a probe into Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two of his aides over alleged connections to Qatar and Hamas elements.

Amid these tensions, the hearts of Israelis, Jews, and allies worldwide stand united alongside the families of the hostages and their families.

The month of Ramadan has ended and preparations for Passover are in full swing. For a second year now, Israelis are torn. Passover is a holiday whose themes celebrate freedom and family. With so many loved ones remaining suffering in Hamas captivity, the questions of how to mark the holiday trouble the consciousness of Jews everywhere. Some chairs at the festive meal will be left unoccupied by the Israelis soldiers who left to defend their homes from the threat of terror. Other families will set a chair at the table to remain empty as a reminder of the hostages who have not yet returned home.

Passover at its core is also a story of survival in the face of tremendous odds, and perhaps that is the theme that will resonate most with many this year. We have survived, we will continue to survive. This is the meaning of the eternal words עם ישראל חי (Am Yisrael Chai) — the people and nation of Israel live.

Here in Jerusalem, it is springtime, and the trees are blossoming, as I sit and enjoy Zion Square decorated with a butterfly theme marking the season of transformation, renewal, and freedom as we enter the biblical New Year and Pesach, a time of remembrance that Bnei Yisrael (sons of Israel), also went through a transformation. They were changed from slaves to free people as we read in the book of Exodus.

Read Laura’s full report.

Videos of the Academic Symposium presentations are now available for viewing on our website and Youtube. We are proud of the caliber of this material and encourage you to share them with your networks, to help fight antisemitism and the lies that have dominated academic discourse around Israel, her indigeneity, and her connection to her ancestral lands, will be answered!

Planning is underway for Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem’s next Academic Symposium and Solidarity March in central Jerusalem.

Be sure to follow IEJ’s existing channels.

Please consider a monthly donation to assist Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem in this important work.