18/09/2026
🇫🇯 Fiji Embassy Marks One-Year Milestone in Jerusalem with Address at Ariel University, Israel 🇮🇱
JERUSALEM, September 17, 2026 - The Ambassador of the Republic of Fiji to the State of Israel, H.E. Mr. Jesoni Vitusagavulu, addressed a gathering of faculty and students from the Department of Middle Eastern Studies and Political Science at Ariel University Jerusalem. Speaking alongside Ambassador Ines Demiri of Kosovo, Ambassador Vitusagavulu shared insights on foreign policy, diplomacy, and the unique strategic and diplomatic challenges faced by small states.
The address coincided with the first anniversary of the establishment of Fiji's diplomatic mission in Jerusalem on September 17, 2025. Reflecting on the milestone, Ambassador Vitusagavulu noted that the Fiji Mission in Jerusalem represents Fiji's 14th diplomatic post globally, created specifically to unlock the enormous potential for bilateral cooperation between Fiji and Israel across agriculture, tourism, investment, exports, and labor mobility.
Describing Israel as a highly resilient and advanced economy, larger than New Zealand and comparable in scale to Australia, two of Fiji's major traditional trading partners, the Ambassador emphasized that ongoing diplomatic and economic engagements are already yielding tangible, positive outcomes.
Key achievements and upcoming initiatives highlighted during the address include:
📍Agricultural Training and Internships: 20 additional students arrived in August to attend an 11-month agricultural internship program, with another 50 expected in November 2026.
📍Labor Mobility and Caregiving: An MOU to bring 1,500 caregivers from Fiji over the next 12 months is currently being finalized, with the inaugural cohort of 25 caregivers expected to arrive by December 2026.
📍Tourism Expansion: Efforts are actively underway to grow tourist arrivals from Israel to Fiji, currently standing at 585 visitors, with a targeted increase to over 1,500 visitors in 2027. Initiatives include raising awareness of Fiji as a prime travel destination for Israelis, such as a dedicated webinar for travel agents and tour operators scheduled for October 6.
📍Trade and Commercial Exports: While geographic distance presents logistical challenges for importing bulk goods, high-value Fijian products continue to make headway. Notably, following the recent appointment of an official distributor, Fiji Water will soon be available in retail stores across Israel. Additionally, a trade and investment seminar will be held on October 14, preceding a reception to celebrate Fiji's Independence.
Concluding the address, Ambassador Vitusagavulu expressed deep satisfaction with the progress achieved during the Mission's inaugural year and underscored optimism for deeper partnerships, mutual economic growth, and enduring diplomatic ties between Fiji and Israel in the years ahead. 🇫🇯🤝🇮🇱