Diplomacy

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Guatemala Moves Embassy to Jerusalem Ahead of Its Inauguration Later This Month

by TheTower.org Staff |

Guatemala opened its new embassy to Israel on Monday at the Malkha Technology Park, ahead of its official inauguration later this month, The Times of Israel reported.

The Latin American country raised its flag at the site of its new embassy on Tuesday. The official opening ceremony will take place two days after the U.S. embassy is inaugurated in the city on May 14.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales is likely to attend the event.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the new Guatemalan mission to Jerusalem, saying he was “moved” to see the historic event. “Dear friends, welcome back to our eternal capital,” he said.

Netanyahu added: “I was moved to see the flag of Guatemala waving in Jerusalem in advance of the opening of the Guatemalan embassy later this month. Dear friends, welcome back to our eternal capital,” Netanyahu said.

Yuval Rotem, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on Twitter: “Wonderful to see Guatemala’s flag flying proudly above the new Guatemalan embassy in Israel’s capital, Jerusalem. Looking forward to seeing many more flags joining Guatemala’s in the city of peace.”

After announcing his country’s move to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem in March, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales told AIPAC conference: “I’m sure many more countries will follow suit shortly.” Netanyahu met with Morales during the event in Washington, D.C., where he thanked the Guatemalan president for recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Guatemala was among the first countries in 1947 to cast its vote for the establishment of the State of Israel and, in 1959, Guatemala was the first country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.

The Czech Republic, Romania, Paraguay, and Honduras have all indicated that they are considering following the U.S.’s example and relocate their embassies to Jerusalem. Paraguay has become the latest country to declare its intention to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

[Photo: Benjamin Netanyahu / Twitter ]

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