Tel-Chai Nation

First, it was the USA, now it's Guatemala and Paraguay's turn to show a fine step can be taken. First, here's the news about Guatemala from a few days ago:

The United States received intense international criticism on Monday when it celebrated the opening of its embassy in Jerusalem. It was the first country to make the "provocative" move from Tel Aviv.

But on Wednesday, Guatemala joined the U.S. in moving its embassy to Jerusalem.

More countries are preparing to make the leap. Paraguay's Foreign Ministry announced that its embassy will also relocate to Jerusalem, while the Czech Republic, Romania and Honduras reportedly considering the move.

And on that note, here's the news about Paraguay:

Paraguay’s President Horacio Cartes officially inaugurated his country’s new embassy in Jerusalem Monday, making Paraguay the third nation to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to the Israeli capital city.

The move comes a week after the US unveiled its new embassy in the Arnona neighborhood of Jerusalem. Two days later, Guatemala transferred its embassy to a temporary facility in an office building in the Malha neighborhood of southern Jerusalem.

“It is an honor for me to be here today,” President Cartes said at the opening ceremony Monday.

"This occasion is of special significance because it expresses the sincere friendship and brave solidarity between Paraguay and Israel." continued Cartes.

"From the depth of my heart, I appreciate this country that courageously defends its right to live in peace and it is building a praiseworthy economically prosperous state that ensures its future and that of its children."

They've done the right thing too. It's to be hoped that more countries will be moving their embassies soon as well, and when they do, they'll be sending a positive message that any European country that won't move so far would do well to pay attention to and learn from.

Labels: Europe, Israel, Jerusalem, Latin America, United States