Jakarta, hitclubapk3 Indonesia
—
Israel
will open an embassy in
Fiji
next year following an agreement between the two countries to formalize bilateral relations.
Israel’s plan to open its embassy in the capital Suva was carried out after Fiji first opened its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem last September.
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“Just spoke with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Sitiveni Rabuka, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Fiji, Sakiasi Ditoka. I informed the PM of my decision to open an Israeli embassy in Fiji in 2026,” wrote Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar in X, referring to PM Rabuka, as quoted
AFP
.
“The opening of this new embassy will strengthen relations between the two countries… at the same time, the Israeli embassy in Fiji will strengthen Israel’s presence throughout the Pacific region, friendly to Israel,” the statement said.
Rabuka inaugurated Fiji’s mission in Jerusalem last September, making Fiji part of a small group of countries opening their embassies in the city, along with the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay and Papua New Guinea.
Most countries place their embassies in Tel Aviv because Jerusalem’s disputed status is one of the most sensitive issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel has controlled East Jerusalem since 1967 and later annexed the territory, a move not recognized by the international community.
Israel claims the city as its eternal and undivided capital, while the Palestinian Authority wants East Jerusalem, including the Old City, as the capital of a future state.
In 2017, US President Donald Trump unilaterally recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, sparking Palestinian anger and rejection from the international community.
Then, the US moved its embassy to Jerusalem on May 14 2018.
Two days later, Guatemala announced it would follow suit and move its embassy to Jerusalem.
Before Fiji, Papua New Guinea became the only Asia-Pacific country to open an embassy in Jerusalem, in September 2023.
(rnp/rds)
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