Nauru to Open Embassy in Jerusalem, Strengthening Ties with Israel

The island nation of Nauru announced on Wednesday that it will open an embassy in Jerusalem in the coming months. This decision follows a meeting last month in Fiji between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Nauru's Foreign Minister Lionel Aingimea. Sa'ar expressed gratitude to Nauru's President David Adeang and Aingimea for the cabinet decision, noting that the embassy will be the tenth in Jerusalem and will deepen bilateral relations. He also pledged full support from the Israeli Foreign Ministry to facilitate the embassy's opening.

Nauru, located in Micronesia in the South Pacific about 4,000 kilometers from Hawaii, is the smallest independent island state in the world by both area and population, covering just 21 square kilometers. The embassy opening follows years of cooperation between Israel and Nauru, including financial aid from Israel. Israel is represented in Nauru by a non-resident ambassador, while Nauru is represented in Israel by honorary consul and Israeli media figure David Ben Basat.

In 2019, Nauru recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and Israel subsequently provided Nauru with financial assistance amounting to 200,000 shekels. The embassy opening marks a further step in formalizing diplomatic relations between the two countries.