Fiji is a group of beautiful, lush green islands, scattered in the Pacific Ocean. It encompasses 332 islands, which expands over 18,000 sq. km. Today, the population of Fiji is 48% Fijian (natives), 45% Indians (almost all Hindus), and the remainder is comprised of various ethnicities and nationalities. Approximately 60 Jews live in Fiji.

Nearly all Jews in the Fiji Islands live in the capital city of Suva. Henry Mark, at the age of 20, was the first Jew to settle in Fiji in 1881. Mark was originally a native of Australia and instituted an extensive commercial enterprise throughout the region. Marks would later be joined by Jews from India, the Middle East, and other localities in Asia. There are currently three cemeteries in Fiji, located in Momi (private cemetery), Ovalau Island (Levuka), and Suva (old cemetery) with Jewish inscriptions on the tombstones, dating back to the first Jewish settlers in the 1800s.

Until the recent establishment of the Fiji Jewish Association there was little organized activity among the Jewish population. There still remains limited religious life among these Jews; however, the Israeli Embassy does hold an annual Passover Seder, which accommodates 50 to 60 people. Kosher food is imported from Australia.

Israel and Fiji enjoy full diplomatic affairs. In May 2002, the Fiji Prime Minister, Laisenia Qarase, agreed with the Israeli Ambassador, H. E. Ruth Kahanoff that the two countries should strengthen their relations though they are so far apart geographically. While there is an Israeli Embassy in Fiji, the Israeli Ambassador in Canberra, Australia represents Israeli interests in Fiji.

Israel sent 12 portable solar generators to Fiji in October 2016, in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Winston.

In February 2020, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin traveled to Fiji to meet Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama for discussions on climate change, sustainable development, smart agriculture, women and youth empowerment.

Bainimarama said, “Fiji and Israel have young, dynamic populations. Our youth know the value of innovative, entrepreneurial thinking and they are the potential of partnerships to generate prosperity. Today, my discussions with President Rivlin centered on empowering these future leaders to strengthen the ties that connect our societies and build a partnership that serves our people for generations.”

Rivlin announced Israel would provide additional assistance in addition to what Israel provides in disaster relief, medical care, and airport security. He also announced the establishment of 100 annual scholarships for students from Fiji to train at a college in Israel.

In June 2023, Fiji announced it would open its first embassy in Israel. Fiji has “maintained amicable relations with the State of Israel, through bilateral cooperation on peace and security, and areas such as agriculture,” said Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said, “I congratulate the Fijian government on an important decision that will strengthen and deepen the relations between the two countries. Fiji has proven in recent years that it is a true friend of Israel in the international arena as well.”

On February 18, 2025, it was announced that Fiji would open an embassy in Jerusalem following a meeting between Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka at the Munich Conference. In a later conversation, Sa’ar thanked Rabuka for the decision, called him a “true friend of Israel,” and emphasized his commitment to strengthening ties between the two countries while conveying appreciation to the Fijian government.

On September 17, 2025, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar joined Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka in inaugurating Fiji’s new embassy in Jerusalem, marking it as the seventh country to establish such a mission in Israel’s capital. At the flower-adorned ceremony, Sa’ar pledged to continue bolstering Jerusalem’s status and to pursue further embassy relocations, while Rabuka and Netanyahu celebrated the milestone with traditional Fijian garlands. Fiji’s ties to Israel reflect a longstanding affinity, with leaders citing spiritual and cultural connections to the descendants of Abraham. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Fiji’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s historic capital for 3,000 years, highlighting shared values of peace, freedom, and human dignity. He emphasized the symbolic importance of the step, noting Israel and Fiji’s common bond despite their distance.

From left: Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu at the opening of the Fijian embassy in Jerusalem on September 17, 2025

The following month, Fiji and Israel signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bolster cybersecurity cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations. The agreement, signed by Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharen Haskel during her visit to the Pacific and Fiji’s Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, focuses on improving Fiji’s cyber defense and resilience against emerging digital threats. Rabuka reaffirmed Fiji’s support for Israel and emphasized future collaboration in business and technology. Haskel expressed gratitude for Fiji’s consistent support, highlighting the significance of Fiji’s new embassy in Israel and outlining plans to expand cooperation in agriculture, women’s empowerment, and business exchanges.

Fiji Jewish Association:
Carpenter Street, P.O.Box 882 GPO,
Suva, Fiji
Tel : 679 387 980
Fax : 679 387 946

Embassy of Israel:
Joske Street, 69,
Parade Building, P.O. Box 15249
Suva, Fiji
Tel : 679 303 420
Fax : 679 300 415

Sources: World Jewish Congress.
International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies - Cemetery Project.
Filipe Naikaso, “Israel President announces scholarship opportunities for the Pacific,” FBC, (February 20, 2020).
“Fiji to Open its First Embassy in Israel,” JNS, (June 26, 2023).
@IsraelHebrew, (February 18, 2025). [Hebrew]
Etgar Lefkovitz, “Fiji to inaugurate Jerusalem embassy in mid-September,” JNS, (September 3, 2025).
Mikaele Liga, “Fiji and Israel Sign MoU to strengthen cyber security and bilateral relations,” Fiji Village, (October 22, 2025).

Photo: Rafi Ben Hakoon/GPO.

Fiji Virtual Jewish History Tour