Malaita Premier Richard Irosaea has thanked the government of Israel for allowing its National Day to be celebrated in Auki.
During a dinner hosted by the Honorary Consul of Israel in Solomon Islands, Leliana Firisua, Mr Irosaea asked Mr Firisua to convey his government's gratitude to Israeli Ambassador to Solomon Islands, Michael Ronen for the historic hosting of Israel's national day.Mr Irosaea said the hosting of the Israel day in Auki means a lot of things to the people of Malaita.
"Let me tell you, our acceptance of this occasion to be held here is mainly to show our support and the solidarity with the people and nation of Israel. We are here also because we claim the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob to be our God. That is the God of Israel."
A church leader also challenged the people of Malaita to learn from both the ancient and modern Israel.
Speaking last Saturday during celebrations of the sixty-second independence anniversary of Israel, the Bishop of the Malaita Diocese of the Church of Melanesia, Sam Sahu, said the people of the province need fresh visions.
Bishop Sahu said the people need a new Malaita and with the help of Israel and other donor partners the province must move forward and higher in its economic and social development and political dreams.
"Our work is to build Solomon Islands with the support of Israel, with the support of RAMSI and others around us, build Malaita today and tomorrow we need a fresh vision of God. Without that, talk about leadership, talk about leadership, we will fail."