Fiji has announced plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the seventh nation to establish its diplomatic mission in the contested city. The Fijian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “necessary risk assessments will be undertaken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence, in consultation with relevant agencies, prior to and during the establishment process.”
This decision aligns Fiji with countries such as the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay, all of which have embassies in Jerusalem. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised the move, saying, “I commend the Republic of Fiji’s government for its historic decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people.”
However, the announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Palestinian authorities. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described the decision as “an act of aggression against the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights,” asserting that it undermines “prospects for peace based on the principle of the two-state solution.”
Similarly, the Hamas organization labeled the move “a blatant assault on the rights of our Palestinian people to their land and a clear violation of international law and UN resolutions, which recognize Jerusalem as occupied Palestinian territory.”
Fiji and Israel have maintained diplomatic relations since 1970, collaborating in areas such as security, agriculture, and climate change. The timeline for the embassy’s opening has not been disclosed.
