Nauru to Open Embassy in Jerusalem, Becoming Tenth Country to Do So

The Pacific island nation of Nauru announced on Wednesday its decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, making it the tenth country to establish diplomatic representation in Israel's capital. This move follows a similar agreement reached last week between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Colombia's incoming foreign minister. The decision was made after Sa'ar's meeting last month in Fiji with Nauru's Vice President and Foreign, Trade, and Justice Minister Lionel Rouwen Aingimea.

According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, Nauru has been a consistent supporter of Israel at the United Nations and has submitted legal opinions backing Israel in cases before the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Nauru officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2019. The island country is part of the Micronesian group of states, located just south of the equator in the South Pacific.

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion welcomed the announcement, stating that every country recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital strengthens the city's international standing. He expressed anticipation for Nauru's diplomatic representatives and wished for continued friendship and cooperation between the two nations.