‘Peace, Development, and Mutual Understanding’: Paraguay Reopens Embassy in Israeli Capital Jerusalem

Latest Developments

• Latin American Nation Reopens Embassy in Jerusalem: Paraguay reopened its embassy in Jerusalem on December 12, becoming the first nation to move its main diplomatic mission to Israel’s sovereign capital since the brutal Hamas terror attacks against Israel on October 7, 2023. The Paraguayan government had previously relocated its embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv in 2018, but President Santiago Peña rescinded this decision and ordered its return shortly after he assumed office in 2023.

• Paraguay Joins Growing List of Countries with Embassies in Israeli Capital: The embassy’s reopening made Paraguay the sixth nation to be established in Jerusalem, joining the United States, Honduras, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Papua New Guinea. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said that Israel and Paraguay share a “friendship based not only on interests but also values and principles,” adding that he hopes to bring an Israeli delegation to the Paraguayan capital of Asunción soon.

• President of Paraguay Lauds Relations With Israel: President Peña praised Paraguay’s strong diplomatic ties with the Jewish State, remarking at the embassy’s reopening ceremony that “this step symbolizes our commitment to shared values and the strengthening of the ties that build a future of peace, development and mutual understanding.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in his own statement that Israel “can win” and is “winning” its ongoing war against Hamas and other Iran-backed terrorists in the region, concluding with the declaration that Jerusalem “will always be the capital of Israel.”

FDD Expert Response

“Paraguay opening its embassy in Jerusalem is a welcome recognition of reality. Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people and has been Israel’s capital for over 70 years. In any case, Paraguay’s embassy is in a section of Jerusalem that will unquestionably remain in Israel as part of any agreement with the Palestinians. All countries should now move their embassies in Israel to Jerusalem and end the absurdity of not allowing the Jewish state to determine its own capital.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“Paraguay has reopened its embassy in Jerusalem but continues to do nothing to dismantle Hezbollah trade-based money laundering networks on its own soil. While symbols matter in politics, substance matters more. It would be a missed opportunity for Jerusalem if this is a trade-off.” — Emanuele Ottolenghi, Senior Fellow

FDD Background and Analysis

“The real power behind Paraguay’s new president,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi

“How Hezbollah Fundraises Through Crime,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi

“Latin America’s Hezbollah Problem,” by Emanuele Ottolenghi and Danny Citrinowicz