Nauru Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Citing Friendship with Israel

The Republic of Nauru officially opened its embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, September 7. The opening was attended by Nauru's Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, who stated that the diplomatic mission signifies the strong friendship between the two nations and Nauru's desire to deepen its relationship with Israel. Aingimea explained that the decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem followed a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi on Fiji. He added that Nauru's motto is "God first," and that Israel holds a special place in their hearts, believing that supporting Israel brings divine blessings. Nauru highly values Israel, he said.

Vice President Aingimea also affirmed that Nauru intends to continue consistently voting in support of Israel at all United Nations forums. Nauru, an island nation in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean, has an area of approximately 21 square kilometers and a population of 11,700. It does not have an official capital, with its parliament and main government institutions located in the Yaren District. Nauruan is the native language, while English is widely used in government and commerce. The country joined the UN in 1999.

Nauru becomes the ninth country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem. Other nations with embassies in the city include the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay, Somaliland, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji. Additionally, Colombia and the Democratic Republic of Congo have announced their intentions to move their embassies to Jerusalem in the near future.