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Palestinians revealed persuasion efforts leading to Paraguayan rulers' decision
move his embassy from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv.
Israel believes the decision was made because of Arab pressure and the promise of future investments in the country.
The decision was taken two weeks ago when Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki arrived in Paraguay on an official visit to convince leaders of Asunción to transfer their embassy to Tel Aviv, while enjoying the change of government.
Prime Minister Netanyahu (left), President of Paraguay, Mario Abdo (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky, AP)
Al-Maliki said he had already received an official promise from the new President of Paraguay, Mario Abdo Benítez, and the new Foreign Minister, Luis Alberto Castiglioni, that the move would proceed discreetly in early September.
The Palestinian Foreign Minister returned with good news to Ramallah and briefed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the Paraguayan promise, stressing that the issue must remain secret until Paraguay publicly announces its decision to return to Tel Aviv.
After the official announcement, Al-Maliki issued a statement in which he acknowledged Paraguay's decision and its commitment to international law and UN Security Council resolutions. He stressed that the return of the embassy in Tel Aviv is in Paraguay's interest, which will allow the country to maintain stable ties with the Arab countries.
Following the announcement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry welcomed Paraguay's decision as "a new Palestinian diplomatic achievement".
Palestinian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Riyad al-Maliki (Photo: EPA)
"Minister al-Maliki made great efforts in meeting with the new president who instructed his foreign minister to settle the issue," the Palestinian Foreign Ministry said.
Paraguay's decision caused a sensation in Israel. Hours after the announcement of the Latin American nation, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ordered the closure of the Israeli Embassy in Paraguay and the return of the Israeli ambassador.
"Israel views with great severity the unusual decision of Paraguay that will put a strain on the ties between the two countries," added Netanyahu on Twitter.
Explaining the new decision of Paraguay, the country's foreign minister, Luis Alberto Castiglioni, said: "Paraguay wants to contribute to the intensification of regional diplomatic efforts to achieve a broad, just and lasting peace in the Middle East. East."
Referring to Israel's response, Castiglioni said the reaction was "disproportionate".
Paraguayan President Abdo, who took office last month, defended his decision as part of an effort to support "a broad, lasting and just peace" between Israelis and Palestinians. "Paraguay is a country of principles,
Israeli officials believe that the pressure exerted by the Arab countries, and perhaps a promise of future investments in the country, explain Paraguay's decision.
On August 10, Yedioth Ahronoth's reporter Nahum Barnea revealed the real story behind the scenes.
At the end of July, President Reuven Rivlin visited
Croatia. During the visit, Rivlin received a message from the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem saying that Netanyahu had asked him to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Paraguay, Abdo.
When Rivlin asked why Netanyahu was not surrendering himself, he was told that the prime minister was to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new presidents of Colombia at the same time.
Rivlin and Netanyahu (Photo: Amit Shabi)
When asked what made Paraguay so important, the Foreign Ministry said the outgoing Paraguayan president, Horacio Cartes, had moved the embassy to Jerusalem but had added a condition: in six months ,.
The Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of keeping the Paraguayan embassy in Jerusalem and told Rivlin that a visit by a president would help convince the new president of Paraguay, Abdo .
Rivlin realized that Netanyahu was laying a trap for him: if he visited Paraguay and the new president moved, he would be the culprit.
It should be noted that Paraguay is a complex issue in the Prime Minister's Office.
Ari Harow,
The former chief of staff of the prime minister's office and now a state witness reportedly received money to promote relations with Paraguay.
The former Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes (L) and Netanyahu (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky)
More than three years ago, Netanyahu ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to open an embassy in Asunción, the capital of Paraguay, contrary to the ministry's position.
After Rivlin rejected the Foreign Ministry's request, Netanyahu sent the mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat, to Paraguay, where he met with the outgoing and incoming Paraguayan presidents.
After the former Paraguayan President Cards inaugurated
The new embassy in Jerusalem thanked him and said: "It is a great day for Israel, a great day for Paraguay, a great day for our friendship, you not only have the support of our government but also the deep gratitude of the Israel people. "
"Paraguay helped the Jews to flee Nazi Germany," said the prime minister about the historical connection between Paraguay and the Jewish people.
The former president of Paraguay inaugurates the Jerusalem embassy (םילום: איוון איוון איוון אלויןץיץץ)
"We will never forget it.You did it before, during and after the Holocaust.It was an expression of compassion and generosity that will always be etched in our hearts." Paraguay also supported the creation of the state of Israel and recognized the UN, we will not forget it either, "added Netanyahu.
"It is an honor for me to be here today," said the Paraguayan President Maps at the ceremony.
"I do not like restrictive or ambiguous positions Our friendship is based on shared values, such as democracy, tolerance and dignity, lack of discrimination and peaceful coexistence," said Cartes.
The embassy in Jerusalem was inaugurated a few months ago, in May. The decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem was taken by former President Horacio Maps after his election and before the end of his term.
Advertised cards
the decision at an event celebrating the 70th anniversary of Israel's independence in Asunción. A month later, he arrived in Jerusalem and opened the embassy to inaugurate the new embassy at Malha Technology Park, near the new Guatemalan embassy in Jerusalem.
Benjamin and Sara Netanyahu meet Cards (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom / GPO)
At the time, there were reports in Paraguay that the elected president, Abdo, was not comfortable with the decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem and that after taking office he would move the embassy in Tel Aviv. Paraguay denied this information at the time, which now seems accurate.
The decision to close the Israeli embassy in Paraguay is not surprising, since the decision to open the embassy was made contrary to the professional position of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Paraguay is not considered an important country and the person who pushed for the opening of the embassy was a close associate of Netanyahu Yechiel Leiter, who for several years was the chief strategist Maps campaign.
Paraguay's decision was a blow to Israel's efforts to gain external recognition of Jerusalem as its capital, which seems to have gained ground this year with the opening of the embassies of the United States, Guatemala and Paraguay.
Jerusalem can be reassured by the decision of Bulgaria to open an honorary consulate in the city.
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