FijiâIsrael relations
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 Fiji |
 Israel |
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FijiâIsrael relations were established in 1970.[1] Relations between Fiji and Israel have generally been satisfactory. Since September 2025, Fiji has had an embassy in Jerusalem; the Israeli embassy in Fiji was opened on June 2, 2026.[2]
History
[edit]Despite being both former colonies of the British Empire, the first major visit to Israel by a Fijian official took place in 1978.[3]
In 2016, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama and thanked him.[4][5]
In 2020, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin visited Fiji as part of a Pacific island nations' summit.[6] In 2022, President Ratu Wiliame M. Katonivere visited Israel and met President Isaac Herzog at his official residence. In their meeting, they agreed to expand Israeli-Fijian relations with an emphasis on the potential use of Israeli environmental technologies and Israeli experience in the field of food security.[7]
Following the 2022 Fijian general election, which resulted in a hung parliament, saw the People's Alliance, the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) begin negotiating to form a coalition government. SODELPA stated that opening an embassy in Jerusalem was one of the conditions for forming government with the two parties.[8] The negotiations were successful and Fiji reaffirmed its commitment to opening an embassy in Jerusalem.[9] The embassy was finally opened on 17 September 2025, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Fijian counterpart, Sitiveni Rabuka, wearing traditional Fijian garlands during the ceremony.[10] On 3 February 2026, Jesoni Vitusagavulu presented his credentials to Isaac Herzog, becoming Fiji's first resident ambassador to Israel.[11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- â "×Š× ×Ş××" (PDF).
- â Israel opens embassy in Fiji as FM Saâar receives traditional ceremony welcome amid deepening ties
- â "An article from Israel's Davar newspaper (Hebrew)".
- â Ahren, Raphael (15 November 2016). "Netanyahu announces first ever visit to Fiji". The Times of Israel.
- â "Israel extends humanitarian assistance to Fiji".
- â Winer, Stuart. "In Fiji, Rivlin asks island nation to be an ally on 'biased' UN rights council". The Times of Israel. ISSNÂ 0040-7909. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- â "Grapevine August 5, 2022: Rabbi of the Western Wall hosts Reform Jew". The Jerusalem Post. 9 August 2022. ISSNÂ 0792-822X. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- â "PA-NFP-SODELPA officially sign Coalition Agreement".
- â "ICEJ-Fiji elated as government commits to open Jerusalem embassy". 23 February 2023.
- â Chand, Anish (17 September 2025). "Fiji opens embassy in Jerusalem, strengthens ties with Israel". The Fiji Times. Retrieved 17 September 2025.
- â Freund, Michael (18 April 2026). "Small nations, strong ties: Fiji's ambassador talks faith, friendship, and Israel - interview". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
- â Cashman, Greer Fay (3 February 2026). "Herzog welcomes new Fijian, Thai ambassadors to Israel, ceremony cut short due to rain". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 April 2026.
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