Paraguay opens embassy in Jerusalem, after US and Guatemala   

Paraguay made history when it followed the US and Guatemala in moving its embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

By: World Israel News Staff

Paraguay made history on Monday when it moved its embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv, just days after the US and Guatemala made the same move.

Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and several heads of state from both countries were present at the momentous ceremony.

At the ceremony, Netanyahu lauded Cartes as “a great friend of Israel and a great personal friend of mine. You’re an unbelievable friend, and I have to say that this represents the friendship between our countries but you gave it personal expression.”

“[Today is a] great day for Israel, a great day for Paraguay, a great day for our friendship,” Netanyahu declared.

“You’ve done much for your country, and now you’re doing something for both our countries,” he added.

Netanyahu also praised Paraguay’s decades-long support of the Jewish people, including helping Jews escape Nazi Germany, Paraguay’s support of the creation of the State of Israel and its recognition of the State of Israel in the United Nations.

“This occasion is of special significance because it expresses the sincere friendship and brave solidarity between Paraguay and Israel,” Cartes stated during the inauguration ceremony.

“From the depth of my heart, I appreciate this country that courageously defends its right to live in peace and is building a praiseworthy, economically prosperous state that ensures its future and that of its children,” he added.

In addition to the US, Guatemala and Paraguay, a number of other countries have expressed interest in moving their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem, among them Honduras, the Czech Republic and Romania.