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Fiji–Israel relations

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fiji-Israel relations
Map indicating locations of Fiji and Israel

Fiji

Israel

Fiji–Israel relations were established in 1970.[1] Relations between Fiji and Israel have generally been satisfactory. There is currently no embassy of Fiji in Israel, nor an Israeli embassy in Fiji.

History

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Despite being both former colonies of the British Empire, the first major visit to Israel by a Fijian official took place in 1978.[2] In 1986, Israeli President Chaim Herzog visited Fiji.[citation needed]

Fiji strained relations with Israel in July 2006, when three Israelis who arrived in Fiji on the 13th were arrested and deported. The three Israelis were detained in a jail cell at Nadi Airport for six hours for alleged mistreatment of Palestinians by Israel.[citation needed]

In 2016, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Fijian prime minister Frank Bainimarama and thanked him.[3][4]

In 2020, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin visited Fiji as part of a Pacific island nations' summit.[5] In 2022, President Ratu Wiliame M. Katonivere visited Israel and met President Isaac Herzog at his official residence. In their meeting, they agreed to expand Israeli-Fijian relations with an emphasis on the potential use of Israeli environmental technologies and Israeli experience in the field of food security.[6]

Following the 2022 Fijian general election, which resulted in a hung parliament, saw the People's Alliance, the National Federation Party (NFP) and the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) begin negotiating to form a coalition government. SODELPA stated that opening an embassy in Jerusalem was one of the conditions for forming government with the two parties.[7] The negotiations were successful and Fiji reaffirmed its commitment to opening an embassy in Jerusalem.[8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "שנתון" (PDF).
  2. ^ "An article from Israel's Davar newspaper (Hebrew)".
  3. ^ "Netanyahu announces first ever visit to Fiji". The Times of Israel.
  4. ^ "Israel extends humanitarian assistance to Fiji".
  5. ^ Winer, Stuart. "In Fiji, Rivlin asks island nation to be an ally on 'biased' UN rights council". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  6. ^ "Grapevine August 5, 2022: Rabbi of the Western Wall hosts Reform Jew". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 9 August 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  7. ^ "PA-NFP-SODELPA officially sign Coalition Agreement".
  8. ^ "ICEJ-Fiji elated as government commits to open Jerusalem embassy". 23 February 2023.