Another Show of Support for Israel: Nauru Announces It Will Open an Embassy in Jerusalem

The cabinet of Nauru has approved the opening of an embassy in Israel, to be located in Jerusalem, the Foreign Ministry announced today (Wednesday). The decision follows understandings reached between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Nauru Vice President Lionel Anigimaya during their meeting in Fiji last month. The Foreign Ministry said the new embassy is expected to open in the coming months.

With the opening of the mission, Nauru will become the 10th country to operate an embassy in Jerusalem, and the fifth to do so during Sa'ar’s tenure as foreign minister.

The foreign minister welcomed the decision: "Nauru is a true friend of Israel, and the opening of the embassy will no doubt help deepen relations between our countries. The Foreign Ministry under my leadership will provide all the assistance required to open the embassy as soon as possible. We look forward to welcoming you soon in Jerusalem, our eternal capital!".

Nauru, a small island state in the North Pacific Ocean, is part of the Micronesian group of countries alongside the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, and Kiribati, and is located near the equator.

In recent years, Nauru has cemented its position as one of Israel’s close allies on the international stage. The country has consistently supported Israel in U.N. institutions, and even submitted an opinion backing Israel as part of the proceedings against it at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Earlier still, in 2019, Nauru recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Now, with the decision to open an embassy in the capital, relations between the two countries are expected to deepen even further, in line with the understandings reached between the sides last month.