Fiji, Sept. 7 -- The Pacific Council of Churches (PCC) has condemned Israel's planned "goodwill" mission to the Pacific, warning that Pacific nations cannot promote peace while engaging with a government accused of genocide in Gaza.

Israel's deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel is scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea and Fiji in October to "deepen and advance Israel-Pacific relations."

PCC General Secretary, Reverend James Bhagwan said the visit is deeply troubling.

"The Pacific Council of Churches has spoken out against the genocide taking place in Palestine. We cannot talk about the killing of thousands of unarmed civilians, children, and the destruction of humanitarian spaces while at the same time building relationships with the c...