Small nations, strong ties: Fiji’s ambassador talks faith, friendship, and Israel - interview

In an insightful interview with The Jerusalem Post, Fiji's newly appointed ambassador to Israel, Jesoni Vitusagavulu, articulates the deep-seated reasons behind his nation's unwavering support for the Jewish state. Fiji, an island nation in the South Pacific, has consistently demonstrated its solidarity with Israel, notably by opening its embassy in Jerusalem and often diverging from the international consensus at the United Nations.

Ambassador Vitusagavulu emphasizes that Fiji's stance is rooted in both pragmatic interests and genuine affinity. The decision to establish an embassy in Jerusalem, he explains, was a sovereign choice made in Fiji's national interest, aimed at leveraging Israeli innovation in areas like agriculture and security. However, he stresses that this is also a matter of "reciprocity and loyalty," reflecting a bond that transcends mere political calculation. Fiji stands with Israel, particularly during times of isolation, mirroring Israel's past support for Fiji.

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Opening our embassy in Jerusalem was a sovereign decision made in Fiji’s best national interest. We are focused on revitalizing our agricultural industry and tackling security and climate challenges through Israeli innovation and technology. But it is also about reciprocity and loyalty. Fiji has chosen to stand with Israel at a time when it faces isolation, just as Israel stood by us in the past when we navigated our own challenges. I’d say that our affinity with Israel is pure and not based on some cold political calculus.

From Fiji's perspective, as conveyed through Ambassador Vitusagavulu, their approach to international relations, particularly concerning Israel, is guided by principle rather than political expediency. The ambassador notes that Fiji evaluates UN measures on their merits, choosing to be a voice for "balanced dialogue" instead of following the crowd. This commitment to fairness and sovereign equality is a hallmark of Fijian foreign policy. The ambassador also touches upon the spiritual connection many Fijians feel towards the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, suggesting that faith plays a significant role in shaping their nation's foreign policy, a perspective that is uniquely Fijian and deeply felt.

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Fiji votes at the United Nations on principle. We’ve consistently been one of the few nations to stand up against one-sided, anti-Israel resolutions. We don’t just follow the crowd; we evaluate every measure on its merits. For us, it’s about fairness and sovereign equality. We believe that isolating Israel through lopsided resolutions is counterproductive to peace, and we choose instead to be a consistent voice for balanced dialogue.