Reverend Manasa Kolivuso, the Senior Pastor of Faith Harvest Church, has publicly outlined his involvement in the controversial 2023 Fiji Airways Israel charter, taking accountability while calling for factual clarity during ongoing legal proceedings.
In a detailed statement, Kolivuso confirmed his signature on the Deed of Forbearance and Guarantee that was part of the charter agreement, underlining the importance of adhering to the legal process as a court case is currently in progress. He acknowledged that his silence over the past two years was a deliberate choice to avoid escalating public discourse and interfering with legal matters, although he felt compelled to address relentless personal attacks and accusations circulating on social media.
Kolivuso illustrated how interest in the 2023 pilgrimage expanded following a prior visit to Israel in 2022, which led organizers to pursue a charter flight amid complications with commercial travel. He collaborated with Pacific Voyager and WABS Pacific to orchestrate the charter with Fiji Airways.
An initial funding strategy was established to address the F$2.5 million charter cost, relying on ticket sales, cargo space, and expected inbound tourism from Israel. However, delays in finalizing the agreement caused challenges for the effective execution of this plan, resulting in the charter agreement being signed just days before the scheduled departure, after payment deadlines had already elapsed.
With the looming threat of cancellation fees that could escalate up to F$3 million, Kolivuso revealed that organizers felt compelled to sign the Deed shortly before the flight took off. He acknowledged the support of the Fiji Government and Fiji Airways in repatriating citizens from Israel amidst escalating tensions following the October 7 attacks and raised a question about whether the return flight should be regarded as a charter or a repatriation, as it involved Fijian students and family members of Fiji Airways staff.
After the return of the group, Kolivuso noted attempts to negotiate a repayment plan with Fiji Airways ultimately fell through, leading to the current court situation. He personally made most of the first repayment installment to the airline.
In light of the experiences gained throughout this predicament, Kolivuso offered sincere apologies to the pilgrims, his church, community, family, and supporters for the distress caused. He indicated that he intends to limit involvement in media discussions as he prioritizes respect for the court’s decisions.
As developments continue to emerge, FBC News is actively pursuing responses from the relevant authorities to shed light on the situation.