Israel becomes Pacific Islands Forum partner in latest push for regional ties, Sa'ar announces

Israel has become a Pacific Islands Forum partner, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on X/Twitter. Sa'ar said Secretary-General Baron Divavesi Waqa told him Pacific leaders approved Israel's application at their meeting in Palau. Israel submitted its request during Sa'ar's visit to Fiji in June. Cooperation areas include water management, desalination, agriculture, climate change, innovation, and sustainable development. The Forum has not publicly confirmed Israel's status.

Israel has become a Pacific Islands Forum partner, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced on X/Twitter on October 20, 2026. Sa'ar said Forum Secretary-General Baron Divavesi Waqa told him Pacific leaders approved Israel's application as a "Forum Partner" at their meeting in Palau. Israel submitted its request during Sa'ar's visit to Fiji in June. Before Israel's inclusion, the Forum had 21 dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan, and the European Union. Under the arrangement, Israel will cooperate on water management, desalination, agriculture, climate change, innovation, and sustainable development. Israel and the Forum will also prepare a joint action plan and establish a mechanism to monitor its implementation. Earlier this year, Israel opened an embassy in Fiji, which also serves nine other Pacific island countries. Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Nauru have opened embassies in Jerusalem since the current Israeli government took office. The move comes as Israel seeks to deepen diplomatic support amid mounting international pressure over its conduct of the war in Gaza. The Pacific Islands Forum has not publicly confirmed Israel's status and did not immediately respond to a request for comment.