Paraguay opens embassy in Jerusalem, after US and Guatemala
The Mainichi,
May 22, 2018
Paraguay
opened its new embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, following in the footsteps of
the United States and Guatemala.
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| Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, speaks with Paraguay's President Horacio Cartes during their meeting at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem, on May 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Sebastian Scheiner, Pool) |
JERUSALEM
(AP) - President Horacio Cartes dedicated the embassy, making Paraguay the
third country to transfer its diplomatic mission in Israel from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem.
Romania,
the Czech Republic and Honduras have said they are also considering doing the
same.
President
Donald Trump's announcement on Jerusalem in December was welcomed by the
Israeli government. But it infuriated the Palestinians, who claim
Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem as their future capital.
The U.S.
Embassy move added fuel to the weekly Palestinian protests in Gaza demanding
the right of return to Israel and the lifting of a decade-old naval blockade.
The protests culminated last Monday, when Israeli forces killed nearly 60
Palestinians in clashes along the border.
The heavy
death toll triggered a diplomatic backlash, with Turkey expelling Israel's
ambassador and consul general and several European countries summoning the
Israeli ambassadors to their foreign ministries for questioning.
But the
U.S. Embassy move has also sparked others to rally in support of Israel.
The
entrance to Jerusalem was lined with the flags of Paraguay on Wednesday and
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the ceremony that he was
there to "salute" a great friend.
The
opening of the embassy was "a great day for Israel, a great day for
Paraguay, a great day for our friendship," Netanyahu said.
