Israel reopens – Israel reopened its embassy in Suva, Fiji, 30 years after the previous mission was closed. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar attended the opening and said agreements signed with Fiji’s Police Minister Ioane Naivalurua will expand national security cooperation and
Suva, Fiji — For Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, the moment wasn’t just ceremonial. It marked the return of Israel’s diplomatic footprint to the Pacific’s island nations, three decades after the previous embassy was shut down.
Sa’ar attended the opening of Israel’s new embassy in Fiji’s capital, Suva, 30 years after the previous one was closed. Posting on X/Twitter, he said the discussions centered on strengthening bilateral ties and thanked Fiji for its support of Israel in multilateral forums.
“Together with [Police] Minister Ioane Naivalurua, we signed agreements on national security cooperation and diplomatic training,” Sa’ar wrote.
“The embassy opening follows Fiji’s own decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem,” the report said.
Sa’ar called the Suva reopening “today’s historic step. ” saying it reflected Israel’s intent to deepen the Israel-Fiji friendship. Before his visit. he added that the embassy opening would continue to expand Israel’s diplomatic activity around the world and in the Pacific in particular. framed as a message of strengthening partnerships with countries friendly toward Israel.
The mission is also expected to be more than bilateral. The new embassy in Suva is expected to give Israel a more permanent diplomatic presence in the Pacific Islands—an area that has drawn increasing attention from larger powers looking to influence events through aid. climate policy. security cooperation. and development partnerships.
Israel’s foreign ministry said the embassy will serve nine other countries in the region. Israel has full diplomatic relations with various other Pacific Island states. including Micronesia. Kiribati. the Marshall Islands. Nauru. Palau. Samoa. the Solomon Islands. Tonga. Tuvalu. and Vanuatu—along with non-UN member states. the Cook Islands and Niue.
For Fiji, officials have described the Israel relationship as part of a broader foreign policy that balances traditional alliances, Pacific priorities, and engagement beyond the region.
The report also noted that James Genn and The Media Line Staff contributed to the coverage.
Israel Fiji Suva embassy opening Gideon Sa’ar Ioane Naivalurua national security cooperation diplomatic training Pacific Islands Jerusalem embassy