Palestinians pan Guatemala’s ‘dangerous and provocative’ embassy move
PLO’s Hanan Ashrawi says planned relocation to Jerusalem violates international law and undermines the prospects of peace
A top Palestinian official on Monday condemned Guatemala’s “dangerous and provocative” announcement that it would relocate its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem.
Hanan Ashrawi, a member of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales had “partnered with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump in violating international law and undermining the chances of peace.”
She called on the global community to “intervene and hold the Israeli occupation and its partners to account for such flagrant violations and provocative actions that fuel the flames in an already volatile situation.”
Morales told the AIPAC Policy Conference on Sunday night that he would move his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in May, and that the relocation is due to take place two days after the United States moves its own embassy to the holy city, to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding.
“In May of this year, we will celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary, and under my instructions two days after the US will move its embassy, Guatemala will return and permanently move its embassy to Jerusalem,” Morales said in Washington.
“This decision strongly evidences Guatemala’s continued support of Israel,” he went on. “And we are sure that many other countries will follow in our steps.”
In 1959, Guatemala was the first country to open its embassy in Jerusalem, but later moved it to Tel Aviv, following international rejection of Israeli claims to East Jerusalem.
Trump bucked decades of US foreign policy by formally recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital last December and setting in motion plans to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Earlier this month, the US said the move would take place to coincide with Israel’s 70th birthday.
Morales said on Sunday night that Trump’s decision was an impetus for his own. “I would like to thank President Trump for leading the way,” he said. “His courageous decision has encouraged us to do what is right.”
The Palestinians have been fuming over Trump’s move. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and other Palestinian officials have refused to meet with members of the Trump administration since, including Vice President Mike Pence when he visited the region in January.
Guatemala was the first nation — after the US — to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, on December 24, 2017.
In a briefing with reporters after his speech, Morales said he’s extended “an invitation to other countries” to follow his lead.
“So far we have had unofficial conversations, but as time goes on, we will have different stages to actually have these meetings and these conversations and make sure that similar decisions are made in favor of this,” he told The Times of Israel, adding that he’s been speaking with countries from Latin America and Europe, but would not disclose which ones.
Eric Cortellessa contributed to this report.
