Jerusalem – On September 17, 2025, Fiji officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem, marking a significant diplomatic milestone as the seventh nation to recognize the city as Israel’s capital. The ceremony, attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, featured traditional Fijian garlands, symbolizing cultural exchange. This move fulfills a decision approved by Fiji’s cabinet in February 2025, influenced by coalition politics following the 2022 general election, where the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) made the embassy a condition for government formation.
Fiji joins the U.S., Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay, and Papua New Guinea in this recognition, a stance that contrasts with most nations maintaining embassies in Tel Aviv due to the disputed status of Jerusalem. Earlier plans faced potential delays in 2023 amid the Israel-Hamas war, with Fiji weighing Tel Aviv before reaffirming Jerusalem, as reported by Reuters on October 18, 2023. The decision underscores Fiji’s strategic intent to deepen ties, bolstered by a renewed 2024 Memorandum of Understanding with Israel for agricultural cooperation, per the Fiji Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The opening has sparked mixed reactions, with Israel welcoming a new ally in the Asia-Pacific, while critics argue it complicates peace efforts. For the people of both nations, this step heralds potential growth in security and trade relations, though the international community continues to debate Jerusalem’s status.
