FM Cohen heads to Uruguay and Paraguay; latter may reannounce Jerusalem embassy move

By Lazar Berman

You will receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

You will no longer receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page

14 August 2023, 4:49 pm

Edit

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen seen during an interview at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem, June 12, 2023. (Yossi Aloni/Flash90)

Foreign Minister Eli Cohen is set to take off today for a visit to Paraguay and Uruguay, where he will attend the inauguration of incoming Paraguayan President Santiago Peña in Asuncion. He will also meet the presidents and foreign ministers of both countries.

Paraguay moved its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, and then moved it back to Tel Aviv only months later with the election of a new president. In retaliation, Israel shut down its embassy in Asuncion and has not reopened it.

Peña has said he will move the embassy back to Jerusalem, which could well be announced this week along with the reopening of Israel’s embassy.

Cohen will likely meet officials from other countries at Peña’s inauguration as well. He is expected to visit Latin America again in the coming months, focusing on Central America.