Biblical, Historical and Comfort for Israel
It’s been a while since our last update from Christians for Israel Fiji. Since then, there has been a significant and heartening development in Fiji’s relationship with Israel: Fiji has now established its Embassy in Jerusalem. To God alone be the praise and glory.
What began in 2010 as a dream deeply etched in the hearts of Christians for Israel Fiji—to see an Embassy established in the eternal and undivided capital of the Jewish State of Israel, Yerushalayim (Jerusalem)—has now come to pass after 15 years of toil. Along the way there were speaking engagements with churches, prayers with families, groups and other denominations, and the 70th Anniversary March for Israel in Suva, Fiji, in 2018. I gratefully acknowledge the persistent Fijian brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us, who prayed and envisioned this day, and I praise God for their lives.
At the end of 2022, a new three-party coalition government was formed through democratic elections—an outcome in which we believe God moved mightily, working through the voice of the people and the power of the pen.
One of the non-negotiables agreed upon by the three political parties—the People’s Alliance, the National Federation Party, and the Social Democratic Party —was the establishment of Fiji’s Embassy not in Tel Aviv, but in Yerushalayim, the eternal and undivided capital of the Jewish State of Israel.
After more than 12 months of maneuvering, the Fijian Coalition Government, through Cabinet, announced its decision to establish an Embassy in Yerushalayim, the capital of the State of Israel—a bold and courageous move. From a biblical standpoint, this was only natural. We praise God for this move, and as Rev Willem Glashouwer often reminds us, when we witness a divine act, we see ‘God in Action.’
A date was set, and on 17 September 2025, history was made. A government delegation, led by Fiji’s Hon Prime Minister Sitiveni Ligamamada Rabuka—who previously served as a Fijian Military Officer, Senior Plans Officer on UNIFIL peacekeeping duties in Lebanon (1980–1981), and Commanding Officer with the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai Peninsula (1983–1985) —travelled to Israel, for this historic and moving occasion to officially establish the Fijian Embassy in Yerushalayim.
PM Rabuka, who previously served as Prime Minister from 1987 to 1999, is now serving his second term in office. After 23 long years, we believe God resurrected PM Rabuka’s political career, culminating in this historic decision. For Fiji and its Christian community, this represents a significant achievement for both the government and the nation as a whole. The move also reflects Fiji’s commitment to enhanced cooperation with Israel in climate resilience, agriculture, security, and technology.
In the news, we often hear of wars, rumours of wars, and even shootings in Yerushalayim, yet the Fijian Government was undeterred— not even a siren warning upon our arrival on 16 September 2025 delayed Fiji’s plans.
The event was attended by the Hon Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who also blessed the Embassy by placing a Mezuzah on the right side of its front entrance.
PM Netanyahu was also accompanied by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Moshe Saár, Deputy Personal Assistant Sharen Haskel, Israel’s Ambassador to Fiji His Excellency Roi Rosenblit, Fiji’s Honorary Consul to Israel Rafael Dayan, and members of Friends of Israel.
A historic event indeed. As Hon PM Netanyahu noted, Fiji’s Embassy is located near the walls of the ancient city where biblical prophets spoke and kings of Israel once ruled. Fiji is the seventh nation to recognise Yerushalayim as Israel’s capital—a biblical truth fulfilled—and the number seven holds special significance in Jewish tradition.
A significant move by our Fijian government, one that reminds me of Isaiah 40:1: “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.
The timing was significant. We did not come to show our friendship during a time of celebration or dancing in the streets of Yerushalayim. Rather, we came to establish our Embassy while Israel was at war on several fronts, mourning the soldiers lost during the conflict in Gaza, and while 48 hostages were still held captive by Hamas terrorists.
That, in my view, reflects true friendship—not only in good times, but also in times of war, when Israel needed comfort and camaraderie.
I believe that now it’s a completely different ball game. We need to ensure that our votes at the United Nations count in support of Israel.
Furthermore, there is a shift in perspective, for if your feet are in Yerushalayim (the centre of the earth— Ezekiel 5:5), the farthest piece of land from Yerushalayim is Fiji. This move, therefore, completes a full circle. Our Lord and Saviour Yeshua told His disciples to “spread the Good News of the Gospel from Yerushalayim to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Our beloved Fiji truly sits at the ends of the world.
As I see it, the establishment of Fiji’s Embassy in the Holy City—the City of the Great King, Yerushalayim —directly connects the centre of the earth to its farthest ends.
