Rain Cuts Short Herzog’s Welcome for New Fijian and Thai Ambassadors

Despite an unseasonal downpour disrupting protocol, President Isaac Herzog formally welcomed two new ambassadors to Israel on Tuesday Jesoni Vitusagavulu of Fiji and Boonyarit Vichienpuntu of Thailand. Both diplomats presented their credentials in a rain-shortened but symbolic ceremony at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Fiji’s appointment of Vitusagavulu marks a milestone, as he becomes the country’s first resident ambassador to Israel. Fiji’s embassy in Jerusalem, inaugurated in 2025 by Prime Minister Sitoveni Rabuka and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, made it the seventh country to establish a diplomatic mission in Israel’s capital joining the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo, Papua New Guinea, and Paraguay.

Vitusagavulu, a veteran diplomat and former ambassador to the U.S., brings with him a rich background in investment consultancy, technology, tourism, and theology. At the time of his appointment, he was serving as a Christian minister in the U.S., but his ties to Israel run deep, including academic studies at Bar Ilan University.

During his meeting with Herzog, Vitusagavulu emphasized niche trade opportunities and expressed Fiji’s potential interest in contributing to a proposed International Stabilization Force in Gaza a multinational humanitarian and security force under discussion. Fiji has long participated in regional peacekeeping missions, including UNIFIL, MFO, and UNDOF.

Herzog welcomed Fiji’s expanded diplomatic presence and reminisced about his father, President Chaim Herzog’s visit to the Pacific 40 years ago. Although Herzog himself will be visiting Australia soon, he expressed interest in deepening ties with the Pacific region. “The world is increasingly dependent on the Pacific,” he noted.

The Thai ambassador, Boonyarit Vichienpuntu, was the first to present credentials, having arrived in Israel over four months ago. In their meeting, Herzog praised the strong relationship between Israel and Thailand, established in 1954 and now bolstered by over $1 billion in annual trade. The conversation touched on technology, agriculture, and defense, as well as tourism a vital cultural link between the two nations.

Vichienpuntu expressed hopes of boosting Israeli tourism to Thailand despite cultural challenges, noting Herzog’s own son was currently vacationing there. The ambassador also thanked Herzog for his letter of condolence following the death of Thailand’s revered Queen Mother, Sirikit, in late 2025.

Herzog suggested deepening cooperation in climate response, fisheries, and water management areas where Israel has contributed through its development agency, Mashav. The ambassador praised Israeli expertise and noted prior meetings with Mashav representatives.

Due to heavy rain, the usually elaborate outdoor credential ceremony was condensed. Instead of an honor guard in formation and outdoor fanfare, ambassadors were welcomed inside with a smaller ceremonial detail. Both ambassadors, in national attire, braved the cold to maintain tradition.

While the rain may have altered the visual splendor of the ceremony, it did not dampen the significance. For Israel, the deepening ties with Thailand and Fiji signal growing diplomatic recognition and shared commitment to regional cooperation and peacekeeping.

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