Guatemala inaugurates embassy in Jerusalem

Jerusalem : Guatemala inaugurated its Israel embassy in Jerusalem yesterday, becoming the first country to follow in the footsteps of the United States’ deeply controversial move that was accompanied by deadly violence on the Gaza border.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales were among officials who attended a ceremony inaugurating the new embassy at an office park in the disputed city, which is at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The US and Guatemalan moves break with decades of international consensus. US ambassador to Israel David Friedman also attended yesterday’s ceremony.

So far the only other nation with immediate plans to open an Israel embassy in Jerusalem is Paraguay, expected to do so before the end of the month.

Netanyahu profusely praised Guatemala for making the move and noted it came only two days after the United States opened its embassy in Jerusalem.

The Israeli prime minister spoke of Guatemala’s early recognition of the state of Israel after its creation in 1948 and said he would visit the country of 16 million on his next visit to Latin America.

“I look forward to assessing with you the practical ways... that we can advance this friendship and this alliance,” Netanyahu said. “But today, I just want to say how delighted we are to have you.”

Morales called it a “transcendental moment for future generations” who will “remember that friendly countries took courageous decisions in favour of Israel and we do this because you have a special place in our hearts.”