Nauru Opens Embassy in Jerusalem, Citing Historical Ties
Nauru officially opened its first embassy in Israel in Jerusalem on Tuesday, in a ceremony attended by Israeli Foreign Minister Gidon Saar and Nauru's Deputy President and Foreign Minister Lionel Rouwen Aingimea. The event, marked by the blowing of a shofar in observance of the approaching Jewish High Holidays, signifies a deepening of relations between the two nations.
During the ceremony, Saar emphasized the historical connection of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, stating, "We are the indigenous people of this land, the Land of Israel. Jews are called Jews because their origin is from Judah. Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria are not modern political inventions. These are the ancient, biblical names of the places where our history was born." He also described Nauru as one of Israel's "most loyal and stable friends on the international stage."
Aingimea reciprocated the sentiment, highlighting Nauru's "special place" for Israel and expressing a belief that supporting Israel brings divine blessings. He noted that Israeli flags are prominently displayed in Nauru's churches and that Nauruans regularly pray for Israel.
The embassy opening follows Nauru's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2019 and its consistent support for Israel in international forums. The decision to establish the embassy was made after a meeting between Saar and Aingimea, aligning with a trend of other nations establishing diplomatic presences in Jerusalem.
