Israel’s booming diplomatic ties are expanding to yet another country – Nicaragua.
Nicaragua is restoring diplomatic relations with Israel this week.
Nicaragua broke off relations with Israel in 2010 in protest of the Mavi Marmara flotilla incident, in which nine Turkish pro-Palestinian activists were killed in clashes after they had attacked Israeli forces.
Unlike other Central American countries, such as Costa Rica and Guatemala, which enjoy close relations with Israel, Nicaragua is closely aligned with Iran and routinely votes against Israel in international forums.
Nicaragua confirmed the move on Tuesday.
“The two governments place great importance on the renewal of relations with the aim of promoting joint activity for the welfare of both peoples and to contribute to the fight for peace in the world,” Nicaragua’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement quoted by Reuters.
“Today, we’re blessed to have relations with over 160 countries and the number continues to grow,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a ceremony at the Presidential Residence in Jerusalem on Tuesday.
“Next week, an additional country will announce the establishment of relations with the state of Israel,” he said. “Last year, I visited five continents, not including Latin America, [but] including the leading powers of the world: the US, Russia, China and of course other countries—Britain, Australia, African countries, Muslim countries [such as] Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.”
“Israel is being sought after, it is a wanted country, first of all because of our cyber technology knowledge, both civilian and military,” Netanyahu told the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee earlier this month.
By: JNS.org and United with Israel Staff