Decision to open embassy in Jerusalem made in the 1990s: PM

The decision to open a Fijian embassy in Jerusalem was made way back in the 1990s, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has said.

In a video interview by the Department of Information, Prime Minister Rabuka clarified that the decision to open the embassy in Jerusalem was made by Government and not by just one of the parties in government.

“Well I had decided way back in the 1990s when I was Prime Minister that we would set up an embassy in Jerusalem,” Mr Rabuka said.

“The decision was made by Government and not by just one of the parties in government, we had made that decision.”

He highlighted the support Fiji received from Israel following the 1987 coup, when many traditional defence partners, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, had distanced themselves from the country.

“When everybody else had gone away from us, including our normal defence partners, Israel was one of those that stepped forward. They even gave us some double-class patrol boats and submachine guns and weapons to continue our obligation to international peacekeeping,” Mr Rabuka said.

Meanwhile last week, the Fiji NGO Coalition on Human Rights (NGOCHR) condemned the opening of Fiji’s new embassy in Israel, describing it as a shameful act that abandons the country’s principles on human rights.

NGOCHR Chair Shamima Ali said the government’s actions showed disregard for justice and peace.

“We are ashamed of our government for abandoning the principles of human rights, justice, peace, freedom, and human dignity. But we must not be our government. We must stand up and believe in humanity, justice, and the inalienable rights of every individual,” she said.

Ali added that the image of “a wanted war criminal standing next to a coup perpetrator must haunt all of us,” saying Fiji’s stance contradicts the “Ocean of Peace” concept often championed by the Prime Minister.

She said the government’s response to the war in Gaza would set a precedent for how Fiji handles future crises and conflicts.

“The Government must stop grandstanding on human rights while supporting rogue global leaders. Fiji should instead join the many countries who have upheld the ICC ruling against Netanyahu,” Ali said.