In a historic milestone that underscored the strong relations between Fiji and Israel, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu officially inaugurated Fiji’s resident Embassy in Jerusalem.
The inauguration ceremony of the Fiji Embassy marked the dawn of a new era and is a testament to Fiji’s enduring commitment to friendship and constructive engagement with Israel and the global community.
At the event, Rabuka highlighted that their presence there reflects Fiji’s desire to build bridges—not walls between nations, cultures, and peoples.
He says the people of Fiji share a very close religious and cultural connection to the Holy Land and deeply value their great nation, which is the birthplace of Christianity.
The Prime Minister asserted that the opening of Fiji’s Embassy reflects the Fijian Government’s commitment to be deeply engaged with the international community.
He says this position is consistent with our Foreign Policy statement in the White Paper which encourages the expansion of links with key strategic and traditional partners beyond the region, to stimulate progress and shared prosperity.
Rabuka emphasised that the opening of the Embassy reflects Fiji’s strategic intent to broaden its global partnerships and elevate its presence in the Middle East.
He says Fiji seeks to deepen our bilateral ties with the State of Israel in areas that matter most to the people, that is, climate resilience, agriculture, innovation, border security, energy and digital transformation.
The Prime Minister says they are there to engage with sincerity and purpose using the diplomatic platform for understanding, dialogue and progress.
He hopes this Embassy will be a place where Pacific wisdom meets Middle Eastern innovation.
The Prime Minister concluded by stating that Fiji will continue to contribute to United Nations Peacekeeping operations including in the Middle East and advocate for the Ocean of Peace Declaration, for the prosperity of our Blue Pacific Continent, and beyond.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude to Rabuka and the Fijian people for the opening of Fiji’s Embassy in Jerusalem, saying that Israel and Fiji share a strong friendship founded on mutual respect, religious and common values, and a commitment to peace and prosperity.
The Embassy will work to advance bilateral initiatives in trade, investment, innovation, education, and cultural exchange, while also supporting Fiji’s long-standing contributions to international peacekeeping and multilateral cooperation.
Fiji becomes the one-hundredth Diplomatic Mission in Israel and the seventh country to open its Embassy in Jerusalem, alongside the U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay.
