Paraguayan president: I came to tell Hamas criminals, you did not win

By Lazar Berman

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11 December 2024, 3:28 pm

9 Edit

Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

President Santiago Peña of Paraguay (L) speaks during a specialsession in his honor at the Knesset in Jerusalem, December 11, 2024 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Earlier at the Knesset, Paraguayan President Santiago Peña was received with a standing ovation.

Peña said he came to Israel “to tell the criminals, you did not win,” referring to Hamas.

“There are moments when you must take a stand,” said Peña, calling Jerusalem “the eternal capital of Israel.”

“The decision to open the embassy in this city is based on the values of solidarity and brotherhood,” he said. “Without an embassy in Jerusalem, diplomatic ties will not be with true heart and soul. With this transition in our friendship, there will be a beating heart, and I hope we can inspire other countries to do the same.”