Guatemalan Ambassador: 'Blessings' Will Follow Our Embassy Move to Jerusalem - CBN News Chris Mitchell

Guatemalan Flag, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

Guatemalan Ambassador: 'Blessings' Will Follow Our Embassy Move to Jerusalem

05-16-2018

CBN News Chris Mitchell

JERUSALEM, Israel – This week the Trump administration made history by moving the US Embassy 

in Israel to Jerusalem. That decision is opening the door for other nations to follow.


Israel welcomes Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales Cabrera with a tribute on Jerusalem's 

Old City Walls, Photo, GPO, Sasson Tiram

Related

Guatemala's President Awarded for Recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's Capital


'Those Who Bless Israel Will Be Blessed': US Embassy Move Marks New Era for the World


The Countdown Begins: What to Know About the Opening of America's Embassy in Jerusalem

On December 25, 2017, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced his country would move 

its embassy to Jerusalem. Today it becomes the second nation after the United States to do so officially.

CBN News got the first interview with the president in Israel.

"Guatemala has been a very blessed nation and I believe we have had an excellent relationship with 

the people of Israel since the foundation of the State of Israel, with the Guatemalan President Arevelo, 

Morales told CBN News. "And since then we've had excellent relations, and we have to strengthen 

that relationship, and I believe we'll be receiving a blessing for both peoples by doing the right thing."


Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

At the opening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Guatemala's president and 

cited the historic relationship between Isael and Guatemala.

"There's a Guatemala street in many cities and many communities in Israel because we remember 

our friends and Guatemala is our friend," Netanyahu said.

Guatemala began flying its flag at the embassy's location in Jerusalem's Technological Park before 

its official opening Wednesday.


Jerusalem's Technological Park, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

Sarah Angelina Solis is Guatemala's ambassador to Israel. She called the move an "historic" decision.

"And it's a very brave decision. It's an historic decision and we are happy about this – and as the 

president has said – it's the correct decision for Guatemala, for Israel and for all the world."

The ambassador added that her country's history played a part in the decision.

"Guatemala was also the first country in the world to establish an embassy in Jerusalem in 1956 – 

the first country in the world. So now we add another milestone to this history, which is the return 

of the embassy to Jerusalem," she said.


Guatemalan Ambassador to Israel Sarah Angelina Solis, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

She explained that Guatemala also followed the US at another critical time for Israel. "In 1948, it 

joined the US in recognizing the Jewish state after then-President Harry Truman did so, following 

David Ben Gurion's declaration of Israel's independence.

"There are very few countries that have this kind of history so we are very close to the State of Israel 

and we have created a unique friendship," Solis said.

Israeli leaders, including former US Ambassador Michael Oren, see the US and Guatemala as just 

the beginning.


Israeli MK Michael Oren, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

"We've had intimations from the Czech Republic, from Hungary, from some Latin American countries 

as well," Oren told CBN News. "We'll be eagerly awaiting them and there are very nice places 

available in Jerusalem."

Jurgen Buhler, director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem also believes more nations 

will make the move.

"This is not the end of a process; I believe that this is actually the beginning of a process," Buhler 

said. "What the US administration – and President Trump – was doing, I think, was he was in a way 

shooting the starting shot for the race and I believe there will be many other nations that will follow 

the United States."

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat helped facilitate the move of the Guatemalan Embassy.


Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

"They're very cheerful, happy and good people and I'm very proud of our partners in Guatemala," 

Barkat said. "So that will be the second embassy moving."

"I was amazed by the innumerable amount congratulatory messages that the embassy received, not 

only from Israel but from all over the world, in many languages: from Africa, from Europe, from 

Latin America saying congratulations Guatemala, we support you. And they were saying; our country 

should do the same. Our president should take that decision," said Solis

That's where Guatemala comes in. It has one of the highest percentages of evangelical Christians of 

any nation. That's one reason its embassy is moving to Jerusalem.

"People in Guatemala pray for the peace in this region, pray for Jerusalem and they are excited," she 

continued. "They call me, it's an honor, it's good that it was during your term. I feel privileged. I feel 

moved. I feel this is a gift from God. I know that a lot of blessings will come after this decision. This 

is a promise in the Bible, in Genesis, and I don't think, I'm sure many blessings will come for 

Guatemala."