Israel to reopen Suva embassy in April

Israel is expected to reopen its embassy in Suva in April, with Israeli government officials believed to already be in the country to begin preparations.

The reopening follows a decision confirmed by Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar after discussions with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka during the opening of Fiji’s embassy in Israel last September.

Both governments have said the move is expected to strengthen diplomatic relations and expand cooperation between the two countries.

Israel previously operated an embassy in Suva following the 1987 coup, during which it provided support including patrol boats and weapons.

The embassy closed in the 1990s due to budget constraints, although diplomatic relations between the two countries were later strengthened in the early 2000s.