Tonga

The Embassy of Israel to Tonga in Wellington and MASHAV (Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation) provided humanitarian aid to Tonga following the devastating volcanic eruption subsequent by a tsunami in 2022. By 2024, it became clear that further support was needed for the Atatā Si'i resettlement on Tongatapu, for the displaced community of 'Atata Island, that became uninhabitable following the disaster.

In July 2024, a collaborative project with the Government of Tonga, the local NGO MORDI Tonga Trust and Pacific Grow was funded by MASHAV to set up Home Biogas units for each household. The units turn organic waste into clean cooking gas and organic fertilizer. In addition, a drip irrigation system of Israeli pioneer company Netafim was donated to irrigate the villages’ vegetable field. The combination of an economical water resource from drip irrigation and the Home Biogas fertilizers should yield sustainable produce for the whole village.

Importantly, these technologies are 'off-grid' and do not require electricity to operate, making them suitable for future disaster preparedness and climate resilience.

Israel has supported Tonga’s agricultural sector’s human capital. Tongan delegates traveled to Israel in 2022-2023 to attend a training course for Pacific Island states at MASHAV’s Agricultural Training Centre. With a focus on developing intensive and sustainable vegetable production, they visited farms and learned from experts about Israeli technological innovation in the areas of hydroponics, greenhouse crop production, and drip irrigation.

His Excellency Ambassador Ran Yaakoby met with Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni during his visit to Tonga in June 2023 and reaffirmed Israel and Tonga’s strong friendship. The PM and Ambassador agreed to continue to pursue joint collaborations in the areas of agriculture, water management, and renewable energy with the support of MASHAV.

The Ambassador visited St. Andrews High School, where he donated laptops on behalf of Israel’s Embassy to Tonga in Wellington and Reagen Milstein Foundation. These laptops are used for computer classes to help young Tongan students broaden their opportunities for the future.

Ambassador Yaakoby and Deputy Chief of Mission, Yael Holan, met with the King of Tonga, His Majesty Tupou VI, in October 2022.

Following the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano in Tonga on January 2022 and subsequent tsunami, Ambassador Yaakoby offered support to the affected Tongans. Following the advice of Hon MP Jenny Salesa, of an acute need for the children of affected families, a container full of food supplies was sent to Tonga and distributed to families in need.

The embassy, through MASHAV, also sent first aid kits and drones, to assist those who were cut off from regular access routes.

Israel works with Tonga in the areas of education and sports. In 2013 former Ambassador Yosef Livne presented the Minister for Sport with a donation of soccer equipment from the Reagen Milstein Foundation.

Economic cooperation between Israel and Tonga is advancing, with new connections being formed across primary industries, with Israeli assistance focused largely on the health and development sectors. In 2012, a Tongan delegation toured the Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem. Experts from CINADCO (the Centre for International Agricultural Development Cooperation of Israel's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), gave a demonstration on farm and greenhouse technologies.

In 2011, former President Reuven Rivlin, on behalf of the State of Israel, made a large donation of medical supplies for the treatment of diabetes to the Tongan Ministry of Health. Israel has given a number of donations through the ‘Insulin for Life’ charity in effort to improve the availability of insulin to the people of Tonga who cannot afford or access insulin and diabetes supplies.