Latin America
“We join with those around the world mourning the loss of life in Guatemala, and are privileged to join with the Guatemalan Jewish community as it quickly moves to provide life-saving aid and rebuild their country even stronger than before,” said JDC CEO David Schizer.
“This is a new-old form of terrorism which scares, deters and terrorizes athletes. This is the terrorism that causes the Munich [Olympics] attack,” said Israel’s Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev.
“With all due respect to [Lionel] Messi, if the match is canceled because it was supposed to take place in Jerusalem, I wish him and Argentina the best of luck,” said Israel national football team coach Alon Hazan. “As an Israeli and a Jew, Jerusalem is far more important to me than Messi and Argentina.”
In the wake of a deadly volcanic eruption that killed at least 25 people in Guatemala, Israel will send emergency-aid money for supplies.
The Arab League lashed out at Guatemala on Wednesday, saying it will no longer engage in relations with the country because of the decision to move its Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“We thank our Western Hemisphere partner for joining us in recognizing Israel’s capital and encouraging additional moves,” said a statement issued by Washington.
“The opening of the embassy holds special meaning because it expresses the sincere friendship and the brave solidarity between Paraguay and Israel,” said Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes.
The possible nixing of a friendly soccer match between the Israeli national team, led by Tel Ben Haim, and the Argentinian national team, headed by Lionel Messi, has been averted.
“Guatemala was with us at the beginning and Guatemala is with us today, and we welcome the opening of the embassy in Jerusalem,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Throughout her public life, the conservative firebrand has been an outspoken supporter of Israel and as visited numerous times to show solidarity. She did so again for the U.S. embassy opening.
Anti-Semitism is becoming more pervasive in a country with a sizable Palestinian population, with the government slow to react to growing social concerns.
In interview with Israel Hayom editor-in-chief Boaz Bismuth, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales says his people believe that bringing their embassy back to Jerusalem “is the right step and the right thing to do.”
