Nauru has announced plans to establish an embassy in Israel, becoming the latest Pacific nation to deepen diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.
According to Israeli officials, Nauru will be the tenth country to establish an embassy in Jerusalem.
The Nauruan Government confirmed this week that Cabinet had approved a scoping mission to Israel to assess the diplomatic, operational and logistical requirements for opening the mission.
In a statement, the government said a diplomatic presence in Israel would advance Nauru’s foreign policy priorities, promote sustainable development and deepen engagement with “one of the region’s key partners.” It described the planned embassy as “a significant milestone” in the country’s diplomatic outreach and commitment to expanding international partnerships.
While Nauru’s announcement did not specify the embassy’s location, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar confirmed it would be established in Jerusalem.
“Nauru is a true friend of Israel,” Sa’ar wrote on social media. “The opening of the embassy will undoubtedly contribute to deepening the relations between the countries.”
Sa’ar thanked President David Adeang and Deputy President and Foreign Minister Lionel Aingimea for the decision, adding that the Israeli Foreign Ministry would assist in opening the embassy “as soon as possible.”
The announcement follows a meeting between Sa’ar and Aingimea in Fiji last month during the inauguration of Israel’s new embassy in Suva, where the two ministers agreed to pursue the establishment of the embassy.
Nauru has been one of Israel’s most consistent supporters in international forums. The Pacific nation recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2019 and has supported Israel in proceedings before the International Court of Justice relating to the Gaza conflict.
The move continues a growing trend among Pacific nations. Papua New Guinea opened its embassy in Jerusalem in 2023, followed by Fiji in 2025. Samoa has also announced plans to establish an embassy in Jerusalem later this year.
Israel has simultaneously strengthened its diplomatic engagement across the Pacific, opening a resident embassy in Fiji and expanding cooperation with Pacific Island states on development, agriculture, water management and climate resilience.
Nauru’s decision represents another diplomatic success for Israel’s campaign to encourage countries to recognise Jerusalem as the location of its government by establishing their embassies there rather than in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area.
