Fiji's first resident ambassador to Israel explains why his nation stands with Israel

The Pacific Ocean nation of Fiji is located almost 10,000 miles from Israel. Yet, this small, predominantly Christian nation consisting of over 300 islands has prioritized developing a partnership and friendship with the Jewish state.

The Fijian diplomat Jesoni Vitusagavulu made history in February by becoming the country’s first resident ambassador to Israel.

Fiji’s envoy explained why his country has become one of Israel’s staunchest supporters at the United Nations, an organization with decades of institutionalized anti-Israel bias.

“Fiji votes at the United Nations on principle. We’ve consistently been one of the few nations to stand up against one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions. We don’t just follow the crowd; we evaluate every measure on its merits. For us, it’s about fairness and sovereign equality. We believe that isolating Israel through lopsided resolutions is counterproductive to peace, and we choose instead to be a consistent voice for balanced dialogue,” Vitusagavulu explained.

In February 2025, Fiji announced its decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, becoming the seventh nation to do so. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised Fiji’s diplomatic decision.

“I congratulate Fiji on its decision to open an embassy in Israel, in Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people. I thank Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sitibani Rabuka, a friend of Israel, for passing the decision today in the Fijian government,” Sa’ar wrote on the social media platform 𝕏.

Fiji's ambassador explained why his nation went against the international mainstream by opening its embassy in Jerusalem rather than in Tel Aviv, calling it a decision rooted in both national interest and moral conviction.

"Opening our embassy in Jerusalem was a sovereign decision made in Fiji's best national interest. We are focused on revitalizing our agricultural industry and tackling security and climate challenges through Israeli innovation and technology. But it is also about reciprocity and loyalty," Vitusagavulu said.

He was quick to frame the decision in personal terms as well. "Fiji has chosen to stand with Israel at a time when it faces isolation, just as Israel stood by us in the past when we navigated our own challenges. I'd say that our affinity with Israel is pure and not based on some cold political calculus. We respect the decisions other nations make in their interest, and we expect the same respect in return," he added.

Beyond geopolitics, the ambassador pointed to something deeper – a spiritual bond between the two nations that he said stretches back nearly two centuries.

"While Fiji is a secular state, our affinity for Israel is deeply rooted in our history, predating our 1970 diplomatic ties. It began in 1835 when Christian missionaries came to our shores. That message transformed the souls of our people – taking us from what was once a barbaric society to being the friendliest people in the world," Vitusagavulu explained.

The ambassador noted that the late Pope John Paul II once described Fiji as "the way the world should be" – a testament, he said, to the profound transformation that faith had brought to his people. "That spiritual transformation created a permanent bond with the people and the Land of Israel. Today, that foundation of faith provides the heart of a relationship that is now also driven by modern strategic cooperation," he concluded.

Vitusagavulu emphasized that his nation strongly condemned the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack while supporting Israel’s right to defend itself.

“Fiji unequivocally condemned the horrific attacks of Oct. 7. No cause justifies that kind of terror, and we stand by Israel’s right to protect its citizens. At the same time, our hearts bleed for the plight of Palestinians caught in this conflict. We pray their leaders will make the difficult decisions necessary to avoid the kind of backlash and suffering their people have endured. Our hope is for a future where both peoples can live in security and dignity,” he stated.

Like many nations worldwide, Fiji is interested in strengthening its ties with the Start-Up Nation Israel.  

Technology, the ambassador said, sits at the heart of Fiji's growing relationship with Israel.

"Technology is a key reason we are deepening our ties with the Israelis. We want to learn from them about how to leverage technology to overcome the constraints associated with smallness. Israel is the proof that smallness and a narrow resource base need not be an impediment to growth," Vitusagavulu said.

He was emphatic that this lesson applied directly to Fiji's own economic future. "We need to embrace technology more across all our industries – particularly agriculture, which is the mainstay of our economy," he added.

Vitusagavulu also pointed to a range of pressing challenges he believes Israeli innovation can help Fiji address. "Technological solutions from Israel can also help us combat our most pressing security problems, such as the drug trade, climate change, and cybersecurity. We've signed agreements in these areas with them, and our task at the embassy is to work with them to implement the agreements," he concluded.

In 2025, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel traveled to Fiji and other Pacific nations to strengthen diplomatic relations.

Haskel was impressed by the support and love for Israel that she encountered among both officials and local residents. “It was really incredible seeing all the love and the support that we are receiving from these countries, not just from the government level but also from the people-to-people level."