On the evening of Oct. 18, running on very little sleep due to a late-night meeting of the security cabinet to discuss Israel’s reaction to the flare-up with Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosted the visiting prime minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, Charlot Salwai, and his wife at the official Jerusalem residence. Netanyahu posted a report to Facebook about the auspicious occasion, complete with a photo of himself and his wife Sara alongside his guests.
Vanuatu recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital back in the summer of 2017 — even before the United States — but most Israelis have never heard of the tiny Pacific island nation.