Jerusalem: The South Pacific nation of Nauru opened its embassy to Israel in occupied Jerusalem on Monday, marking it as the ninth country to make the move, which defies international resolutions.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar participated in the official opening of Nauru's Embassy in occupied Jerusalem alongside Vice President and Foreign Minister Lionel Aingimea. The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a statement confirming the event. Sa'ar remarked, "Today, Nauru becomes the ninth country, and the third from the South Pacific, to open an embassy in Jerusalem. More are on the way," during the opening ceremony.
Nauru, a small island nation, is the world's third-smallest country, covering an area of just 21 square kilometers (8.1 square miles) and housing a population of approximately 12,000. Aingimea commented on the embassy opening, stating, "We see the opening of our embassy here in Jerusalem not only as strengthening our relations with Israel, but also as a message to the whole world about our position."
Currently, Jerusalem hosts embassies from the US, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and the Somaliland region, which is not internationally recognized. Most countries oppose opening embassies in occupied Jerusalem due to the contentious nature of Israel's claim over the city.
Israel's efforts to bolster its foreign relations have intensified amidst widespread anger over its actions in the Gaza Strip since October 2023. In 2017, US President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and moved the US Embassy there from Tel Aviv, a decision that has been met with international debate.
Palestinians continue to assert their claim to East Jerusalem as the capital of a future state, aligning with international resolutions that do not recognize Israel's occupation or annexation of the city. The establishment of Israel in 1948 resulted in the displacement of at least 750,000 Palestinians, and the country has continued to reject withdrawal and the establishment of a Palestinian state as outlined in UN resolutions.