<p>Israel has become a partner of the Pacific Islands Forum, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on X, describing the move as part of Israel's broader effort to strengthen ties with the Pacific region, Reuters reported from Wellington on Wednesday, October 21.</p><p>Sa'ar said Forum Secretary-General Baron Divavesi Waqa had informed him that 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, he said. Before Israel's inclusion, the Forum had 21 dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan and the European Union.</p><p>Under the arrangement, Israel will take part in cooperation on water management, desalination, agriculture, climate change, innovation and sustainable development, Sa'ar said, adding that the two sides will prepare a joint action plan and set up a mechanism to monitor its implementation. Earlier this year Israel opened an embassy in Fiji, which also serves nine other Pacific island countries, and Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Nauru have opened embassies in Jerusalem since the current Israeli government took office, he added.</p><p>Reuters noted that the Pacific Islands Forum has not publicly confirmed Israel's status and did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The move comes as Israel seeks to deepen diplomatic support amid mounting international pressure over its conduct of the war in Gaza; several Pacific island states have at times voted with Israel or against UN resolutions it opposed. Sources: Reuters, October 21, 2026 (reporting by Lucy Craymer); announcement by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on X.</p>