Fiji officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem last night Fiji times, becoming the first Pacific Island country and the seventh nation globally to establish a diplomatic mission in the contested city.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for the inauguration ceremony at Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
In a show of Pacific-Israel friendship, both Mr Rabuka and Mr Netanyahu wore salusalu.
“I’d like to acknowledge the special bond and the enduring friendship that has existed between Fiji and the State of Israel,” Mr Rabuka said in his remarks.
Fiji now joins the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay in establishing an embassy in Jerusalem. Argentina has also announced plans to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem next year.
The ceremony comes at a sensitive time in global diplomacy, with Israel facing mounting criticism over its military operations in Gaza. Fiji, however, abstained from a recent United Nations vote calling for Palestinian statehood, positioning itself as a steadfast partner to Israel amid growing international pressure.
Following the ceremony, Mr Rabuka extended an invitation for Netanyahu to visit Fiji.
In turn, Netanyahu thanked Mr Rabuka “for his support and steadfast standing alongside Israel,” according to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office. The leaders also discussed regional security and geopolitical developments.
