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

Nauru, a small island nation in the Central Pacific, announced it will open an embassy in Jerusalem, making it the tenth country to locate a diplomatic mission in Israel's capital.

The decision follows talks between Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Nauru's Deputy President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Justice, Lionel Aingimea. The two reached an understanding during meetings held last month in Fiji, where Aingimea attended the opening of Israel's embassy.

Nauru has been a consistent supporter of Israel in international fora: it formally recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2019 and has backed Israel in proceedings at the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar with Lionel Aingimea, Nauru's deputy president and foreign affairs minister. (credit: Screenshot/X/Gideon Saar/Section27a)

Separately, Sa'ar also reached a comparable understanding with Colombia's incoming foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, during talks in Washington. The two agreed on a roadmap to fully restore diplomatic and economic ties between Israel and Colombia after the rupture in May 2024 under outgoing President Gustavo Petro.

Planned measures discussed include exchanging ambassadors, removing visa requirements for citizens of both countries, and expanding Israeli development assistance to Colombia through MASHAV, Israel's international development cooperation agency. Bula Escobar indicated Colombia's incoming government intends to open an embassy in Jerusalem as well.

Diplomatic significance: The moves underline targeted Israeli diplomatic outreach in regions including the Pacific and Latin America, and reflect a small but growing number of states establishing formal representation in Jerusalem.

Shir Perets contributed to this report.