Courtesy of JNS. Photo credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
President Santiago Peña of Paraguay and his wife, Leticia Ocampos, arrive for a welcoming ceremony at the Knesset in Jerusalem on Dec. 11, 2024
(JNS) — Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, speaking in Jerusalem on Wednesday, called the return of his country’s embassy to Israel’s capital a “tipping point” in the South American country’s history.
Peña spoke alongside his Israeli counterpart Isaac Herzog, addressing a press conference at the latter’s official residence in Jerusalem.
“I understand that this could be seen as a signal of support for Israel in this difficult moment,” Peña said, addressing Herzog. “But believe me, Mr. President, this is something that we needed to do for ourselves. This is a moral obligation that the Paraguayan people have asked us to fulfill. … So for us, this is really a tipping point in our own history.
Peña said his visit for the legation’s inauguration is “a testament of who we are. This is important for us coming here and opening the embassy as a symbol because this represents something that is much larger, which is our friendship and the faith that we have in a brighter future.”
Herzog told reporters: “We are very excited that you will inaugurate the Paraguayan embassy in Jerusalem, our holy city, united city, the eternal capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people.”
Also on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Peña to Jerusalem, during a special session of the Knesset.
“Your important visit, Mr. President, comes amid an existential war we are waging on seven fronts — perhaps another front has been added — against those seeking to destroy us; this deserves special appreciation,” Netanyahu said from the podium.
He continued, “The long-standing friendship between Paraguay and Israel is being renewed today, thanks to you. This courageous bond has roots that go back decades. We will always cherish the fact that Paraguay supported the establishment of the Jewish state in 1947.”
The Israeli premier also noted that Paraguayan passports helped save thousands of Jews from Nazi persecution during World War II, including his father-in-law, Polish-born writer, poet and educator Shmuel Ben-Artzi, who found refuge in the Latin American country.
“Although thousands of kilometers separate Israel and Paraguay, our two nations feel sympathy for each other,” Netanyahu said.
“Santiago, we all admire — and I admire — the energy and talent you have brought to the presidency of Paraguay. You are making continuous efforts to advance your country: to develop its economy, raise the standard of living and lead Paraguay to a bright horizon of success,” he continued.
“Israel very much wants to assist you,” the prime minister told Peña. “We do not keep the fruits of progress just for ourselves; we share them with other countries in order to benefit our friends and all of humanity.”
“Gracias, amigos,” Netanyahu ended in Spanish, thanking Peña and his entourage.
The reopening of Paraguay’s diplomatic mission is scheduled to take place on Thursday, at the Har Hotzvim high-tech industrial park in northwestern Jerusalem.
This will make Paraguay the sixth country with an embassy in Jerusalem, along with the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Kosovo and Papua New Guinea. Israel has called on all countries to transfer their embassies to the capital.
Paraguay moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018 but months later returned it to Tel Aviv, setting off a diplomatic crisis.
