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
Israel welcomes Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales Cabrera with a tribute on Jerusalem's
Old City Walls, Photo, GPO, Sasson Tiram
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On December 25, 2017, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales announced his country would move
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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
"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
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
"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
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
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 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
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
"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
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
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
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
"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,"
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
"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
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
"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."
