(JNS) The Pacific nation of Naoero (formerly known as Nauru) opened an embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, becoming the ninth country to locate its diplomatic mission in Israel’s capital.
“Israel’s relations with the nations of the South Pacific are advancing tremendously,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said at the event. “Today two ancient peoples stand together in Jerusalem, proud of our identity, our heritage and our friendship.”
Linking the Pacific nation’s reclaimed indigenous name to Jewish history, Sa’ar added that “we, too, are the indigenous people of this land” and that “Jews are called Jews because we are from Judea.”
“Our support for Israel has been unwavering,” said Naoero’s Foreign Minister Lionel Aingimea. “Naoero is historically one of Israel’s most reliable and consistent diplomatic allies at the United Nations.”
He continued: “We see opening an embassy here in Jerusalem not only as strengthening our ties with Israel, but also as a message to the world of where we stand. Our motto is God first, and Israel always has a special place in our hearts.”
Aingimea noted that the “easy decision” to establish the mission in Jerusalem came after discussions with Sa’ar in Fiji and received full endorsement from Naoero’s Cabinet.
The island nation is one of the smallest countries in the world, with a population of about 12,000 people.
Nine countries now have embassies in Israel’s capital: the United States, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Naoero, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay and Somaliland.
All the other nations that have diplomatic relations with Israel maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv or its suburbs.
US President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy to Jerusalem during his first term set the stage for other countries to follow suit.
The leaders of Argentina and Colombia have pledged to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem.
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