The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Wednesday that Nauru will establish an embassy in Jerusalem in the coming months. The decision followed a meeting last month between Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and Nauru's Vice President and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Justice Lionel Aingimea in Fiji.
Nauru, a small island nation northeast of Australia, recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2019 and has been among Israel's consistent supporters at the United Nations. The country submitted a written statement supporting Israel in proceedings brought against Israel before the International Court of Justice in the Hague regarding the war against Hamas in Gaza.
"Nauru is a true friend of Israel, and the opening of the embassy will undoubtedly contribute to deepening the relations between the countries," Sa'ar wrote on X.
With a population of about 12,000 people, Nauru is among the world's smallest nations. Eight countries currently maintain embassies in Jerusalem: the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Somaliland. Other nations with diplomatic relations with Israel keep their embassies in Tel Aviv or its suburbs due to Jerusalem's political sensitivities.
The shift began after U.S. President Donald Trump moved the American embassy to Jerusalem during his first term. The leaders of Argentina and Colombia have since pledged to relocate their embassies to Jerusalem as well.