Two days after the U.S. opened its embassy in Jerusalem, Guatemala has moved its own embassy to Jerusalem. With this Guatemala becomes the first country to follow in the footsteps of the United States.
Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales – an evangelical – wrote on Facebook, “With the opening of our embassy in the city of Jerusalem, Guatemala takes a courageous decision, a step forward in favor of union and friendship. This decision will be a legacy that will bring great benefits to everyone.”
At a lunch after the ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a great day” for both Israel and Guatemala. “I welcome my friend President Jimmy Morales. Guatemala was with us at the beginning, and Guatemala is with us today, and we welcome the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem.”
Netanyahu also said that President Morales, you made history today when you moved the Guatemalan embassy to Jerusalem. We will continue to strengthen the relationship between Israel and Guatemala.
Not everyone was pleased with Guatemala’s decision to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the Latin American country “has chosen to stand on the wrong side of history.”