Paraguay is set to become the fifth country in the world to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital when it reopens its embassy in Jerusalem hopefully within a year.
Santiago Peña was sworn in as Paraguay’s new President this week and hours later he met with Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen who said Peña will move the embassy to Jerusalem.
Cohen said that he invited the leader “to make a presidential visit [to Israel] this year, during which he could rededicate the Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem.” He added that Israel would also reciprocate by opening its embassy in Asunción, the country’s capital. Peña said in response, “I am Israel’s greatest friend.”
During the presidential campaign, Peña pledged to reopen Paraguay’s embassy in Jerusalem after it was closed by his predecessor. His friendship with Israel seems to be highlighted by how quickly he met with the foreign minister of Israel.
According to Cohen the reopening of the embassy in Jerusalem “will bolster Israel’s standing and the important ties between the two nations,” adding that “we will continue strengthening the historical bond with Latin American countries, who have stood by Israel and the Jewish people.”
If Peña does follow through with his pledge, Paraguay will be the fifth country to open an embassy in Jerusalem, following Kosovo, Honduras, Guatemala and the US.
Most foreign countries situate their embassies in Tel Aviv, which is not Israel’s capital. Many also have a discriminatory policy towards Israel, such as the United Kingdom. The UK has an embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv, but has a consulate to the Palestinians located in Jerusalem. Shamefully, the British government is giving acknowledgement to the Palestinian’s false claim over Jerusalem while ignoring Israel’s legitimate claim.
We disagree with this policy and are urging the UK government to move the UK embassy to Jerusalem. If you would like to support Christians United for Israel UK (CUFI UK) in this, we urge you to get involved with our campaigns. Go to: https://cufi.org.uk/subscribe
This year, we want to do more to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
We know that as we bless Israel this year, God will bless us, just as He promised in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Now is the time to bless Israel and the Jewish people.
