Daijiworld Media Network – Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Jul 23: Pacific island nation Nauru has decided to open an embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the 10th country to establish its embassy in the Israeli city, Israeli officials announced on Wednesday.

The decision follows an understanding reached between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Nauru's Deputy President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Justice, Lionel Aingimea, during a meeting in Fiji last month.

Aingimea was in Fiji to attend the inauguration of Israel's new embassy in the country.

Nauru has been one of Israel's consistent supporters at the United Nations and had submitted a political opinion backing Israel in the case brought against it before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague.

The Pacific nation also recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2019.

Meanwhile, Israel said it had reached a similar understanding with Colombia's incoming government regarding the opening of an embassy in Jerusalem.

During a meeting in Washington last week, Sa'ar and Colombia's incoming foreign minister, Omar Bula Escobar, agreed to fully restore diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.

The move is aimed at reversing the breakdown in ties that followed outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro's decision in May 2024 to sever diplomatic relations with Israel.

According to Israel's Foreign Ministry, both sides agreed to exchange ambassadors, abolish visa requirements for Israeli and Colombian citizens, and expand Israeli development assistance to Colombia through MASHAV, Israel's international development cooperation agency.

The ministry said Bula also informed Sa'ar that Colombia's incoming government intends to open an embassy in Jerusalem.