Guatemala’s president Jimmy Morales on Monday said that his country’s embassy in Israel will be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May.
This move followed the US announcement in February that it will transfer its embassy to Jerusalem in May to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Israel (the Palestinian Nakba).
Speaking at the annual US-Israel Public Affairs Committee conference Morales said “I would like to thank US president Donald Trump for leading the way. His courageous decision has encouraged us to do what is right.”
Guatemalan Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel in December 2017 affirmed that Guatemala’s decision to relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is irreversible.
On 26th December Morales said that his country’s decision to follow the US in moving its embassy to Jerusalem is a “sovereign matter” that should not affect its relations with any other country.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described Guatemala’s decision which came in defiance of the UN resolution to consider Jerusalem a “final status issue” as shameful while Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the move.
Donald Trump on 6th December 2017 recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and announced his intention to move the US embassy there to the holy city sparking worldwide condemnation.
