Guatemalan Foreign Minister Jovel announced that her country supports the US’ decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Guatemalan Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel announced that her country supports the US’ decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, because historically the Central American country “has been a friendly ally of Israel and has always been characterized as such.”
The Spanish-language Aurora Israel news site reported Sunday that while speaking to the media during a meeting of Latin American foreign ministers, Jovel stated that “historically Guatemala has been part of the history of Israel.”
On this historical issue, journalists asked her why Guatemala abstained at the November 29, 1947 UN vote in favor of the establishing of a Jewish state, and Jovel pointed out that five days after the historic vote Guatemala rectified its stance and voted in favor of the partition plan.
President Donald Trump last Wednesday recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and ordered the US embassy to be moved there.
Most countries opposed this move, with the European Union’s diplomatic chief Federica Mogherini warning on Thursday that Trump’s decision had a “very worrying potential impact” and could take the region “backwards to even darker times than the ones we’re already living in.”
Mogherini added that “the aspirations of both parties must be fulfilled and a way must be found through negotiations to resolve the status of Jerusalem as the future capital of both states.”
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized her, saying that “insisting on denying Jerusalem is Israel’s capital is disavowing an indisputable historical fact.”
“Any denial of this simple truth distances peace by creating expectations detached from reality among the Palestinians,” the ministry said.
Furthermore, “President Trump has taken a courageous, righteous step that increases the chances of peace by speaking the truth.”
A few countries have shown support, including the Czech Republic which on Wednesday recognized western Jerusalem as the capital of Israel following Trump’s policy changes on the city.
The Czech government’s move on western Jerusalem follows the Czech Parliament’s approval of legislation in May that recognizes Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
In April, the Russian Foreign Ministry made a similar move to recognize “west Jerusalem” as the Israeli capital.
By: United with Israel Staff