Pastor slams PNG move on Israel

PAPUA New Guinea’s vote against Israel in the United Nations has come under fire from a pastor of one of this country’s Christian churches.
The vote on Dec 22 by the UN general assembly rejected US President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Assemblies of God pastor Doris Nuglai criticised Papua New Guinea’s support of the UN resolution and called on the government to “reconsider its decision”.
“God’s words are true and it is written in the Bible that God’s wrath will be with those who go against Israel and his blessings with those who bless Israel,” she said.
Quoting the Book of Genesis, Nuglai said: “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen 12:3)
The vote was controversial, especially after United States UN ambassador Nikki Hayley issued a veiled threat to members of the UN
saying the US was watching, especially countries which received US aid.
Despite the warning, Papua New Guinea and 127 other members voted in favour of the resolution.
The resolution supports the international consensus that the issue of Jerusalem – which is claimed as a capital by both Israel and the Palestinians – can only be settled after a final peace deal has been agreed upon.
Nuglai, from Kerowagi district, Chimbu, was strong in her criticism of the government’s stand against Israel on the issue of Jerusalem, even though the vote itself was largely symbolic and had no binding effect.
“Before God strikes Papua New Guinea it is only wise the government turns down the vote so we will not face destruction,” she said.
Only nine states – including the US and Israel – voted against the resolution. The other countries were Togo, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Marshall Islands, Guatemala and Honduras.
According to the 2000 census, 96 per cent of Papua New Guinea’s population is Christian, with Catholics making up the biggest denomination (26 per cent), followed by the Evangelical Lutheran Church (18.4 per cent), Seventh Day Adventist (12.9 per cent) and Pentecostal (10.4 per cent).
Smaller groups make up the rest.