The president of Israel, Isaac Herzogextended an official invitation to the president of Paraguay, Santiago Penato make a state visit to the Hebrew country. The invitation coincides with the South American president’s trip to inaugurate next December the new embassy of Paraguay in Jerusalemstrengthening diplomatic ties between both nations.
“It is a great privilege for me to extend an official invitation to you to make a state visit to Israel that will coincide with your upcoming trips celebrating the inauguration of the Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem,” states the letter sent by the Israeli president to his Paraguayan counterpart.
In addition, Herzog highlighted the historical and symbolic importance of the relations between both countriesremembering the support of the South American nation in the United Nations vote that recognized the right of the Jewish people to establish an independent state.
“We will always remember that it was the vote of your nation that secured the necessary majority”the prime minister stated in his letter.
Additionally, he praised President Peña for his continued support of Israel since taking office in August 2023, underscoring the importance of his stance during a difficult period for the Israeli people.
He also thanked the Paraguayan president for his words at the inauguration of the Israeli embassy in Asunción last September.
The visit, if it takes place, will mark a significant step in deepening bilateral relationswith the commitment of both countries to strengthen friendship and cooperation in various areas.
Paraguay and the State of Israel have strengthened their diplomatic relations with the reopening of the Israeli embassy in Asunción, closed since 2018. The official event, held on September 19, was attended by Peña; Amir Ohanahead of the Israeli Congress; and the Paraguayan foreign minister Ruben Ramirez Lezcanoalong with other authorities.
The Paraguayan president highlighted the event as a key moment in the relationship between both countries, stating: “Our relationship with the State of Israel is built on solid pillars and we are united by the belief that we can achieve great things when we work together.” In addition, he announced that in December, Paraguay will once again move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
The Israeli embassy in Paraguay closed in 2018 after the decision of the then president Mario Abdo Benitez to relocate the Paraguayan embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. During the ceremony, Peña stressed: “Today we take a firm step towards a future full of opportunities with the opening of the Israeli embassy in Paraguay.”
For his part, Amir Ohana highlighted the 76 years of bilateral relations between both countries and stated that this event symbolizes a renewed commitment to cooperation. According to Ohana, the reopening of the Israeli embassy in Paraguay involved “many efforts” by the authorities of both nations, and he assured that over time the positive results of this link will be evident.
Last December, Peña appointed Alejandro Rubín Cymerman as Paraguay’s ambassador to Israel and on March 13 he presented his credentials to the Israeli president, Isaac Herzog, in Jerusalem.
Herzog’s complete letter to Peña:
It is a great privilege for me to extend an official invitation to you to make a State Visit to Israel that will coincide with your upcoming trips celebrating the inauguration of the Paraguayan Embassy in Jerusalem.
It will be a true honor to welcome you here in Israel. Your stay in Israel will be another demonstration to the world that the ties of friendship between our two nations are deep, historic and lasting. In fact, we will always remember that it was his nation’s vote at the United Nations that secured the majority affirming the right of the Jewish people to establish an independent nation.
You have been a strong supporter of Israel since taking office in August 2023. This has been deeply appreciated over the past year, during one of the most painful periods in our nation’s history. Here in Jerusalem, we were deeply grateful for your warm words celebrating the strong ties between our two nations at the opening of the Israeli embassy in Asunción last September.
Once again, I look forward to welcoming you to Israel in the near future. I am sure that your visit will directly promote the growing ties between Paraguay and Israel.
