Israel eyes close ties with PNG

 ISRAEL wants to establish a close relationship with Papua New Guinea through spiritual development.

International Christian Embassy Jerusalem director Rev Juha Ketola revealed that last Friday at Nipa Station in Southern Highlands.

Ketola, who was accompanied by Parliament Speaker Theodore Zurenuoc and local MP Jeffery Komal, said he came to recognise Christian churches in the country that were praying for peace in Israel.

He said his country wanted to have close relationship with Christian churches here.

Zurenuoc told the 5000 people gathered in Nipa to respect one another.

He said people in a country with 800 languages should  unite as one people and respect each other.

He told the people to uphold their Christian beliefs and live a good life by helping develop the country spiritually, economically and physically.

More than 5000 people from the province and neighbouring Highlands provinces turned up to receive the delegation.

The PNG Defence Force and police in Nipa and Mendi provided a guard of honour for the speaker.