Netanyahu closes Israeli embassy in Paraguay

After only one month in Jerusalem, the government of Paraguay is moving its embassy in Israel back to Tel Aviv. The Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the decision.

The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to recall the Israeli ambassador to Paraguay for consultations. Israel regards with the utmost gravity Paraguay's irregular decision, which will have a negative impact on relations between the two countries."

Netanyahu's comment on Twitter was even sharper in tone; he said that he had ordered the Israeli embassy in Paraguay closed. Paraguayan Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Alberto Castiglioni said that former Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes's decision to move the country's embassy to Jerusalem was "unjustified," and added that his country wished to contribute to a diplomatic regional effort to reach a sustainable, fair, and long-term peace. Paraguay moved its embassy to Jerusalem immediately after the US and Guatemala. Netanyahu said at the time, "Cooperation is great and will get even better."

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on September 6, 2018