Samoa announces plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem

The Pacific island nation of Samoa is moving to strengthen its diplomatic ties with Israel. The country's foreign ministry confirmed it will open an embassy in Jerusalem, with reports indicating the opening is planned for this year or by 2026.

This decision makes Samoa one of the few countries to establish an embassy in Jerusalem, a city whose status is highly contested in international politics. Most nations maintain their embassies to Israel in Tel Aviv.