The Republic of Nauru officially inaugurated its embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, becoming the ninth country to establish a diplomatic mission in Israel’s capital.

The embassy was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Nauru Vice President and Foreign Minister Lionel Rouwen Aingimea, who said the decision followed a conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Fiji.

Aingimea reaffirmed his country’s strong support for Israel, saying that supporting Israel brings “G-d’s blessing.” He also noted that Nauru currently votes in Israel’s favor at the United Nations 71% of the time and predicted that figure will rise further in the near future.

Sa’ar hailed the opening of the embassy and described Nauru as one of Israel’s most loyal and steadfast friends in the international community, pointing to the Pacific nation’s consistent support for Israel at both the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.

Nauru joins the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Paraguay, Somaliland, Papua New Guinea and Fiji in maintaining diplomatic missions in Jerusalem. Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have also announced plans to move their embassies to the city.

The opening is part of an ongoing Israeli Foreign Ministry effort to strengthen Jerusalem’s international diplomatic standing and encourage additional countries to establish embassies in the capital.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)