Following the announcement by the President of Paraguay about relocating the country's embassy back to Jerusalem within the coming year, Uruguay has declared its intent to establish a diplomatic office in the Israeli capital. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a meeting took place between Foreign Minister Eli Cohen and the President and Foreign Minister of Uruguay. During this meeting, the decision to open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem, specifically aimed at fostering cooperation in innovation, was announced.
In a historic move back in May 2018, the Paraguayan Embassy was inaugurated in Jerusalem under the leadership of then-President of Paraguay, Horacio Cartes. Cartes, a known ally of Israel and a confidant of Netanyahu, actively advocated for Israel in international assemblies. Nevertheless, when the government shifted hands and President Mario Abdo Benitez, with Lebanese ancestry, took over, he faced substantial pressure. Influences from Palestinian officials and several Arab nations played a role in urging him to reconsider Cartes' decision. Succumbing to these pressures, he ultimately relocated the embassy back to Tel Aviv.
Only hours after Paraguay announced it would re-open its embassy in Jerusalem within a year, Uruguay revealed it would establish an innovation office in Israel's capital as well.
— AIJAC (@AIJAC_Update) August 16, 2023
The Times of Israel reported that Paraguay's re-opening of its Jerusalem embassy heals a five-year… pic.twitter.com/qmhYRgXFk7
Riyad Al-Malki, the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, even made a dedicated visit to Paraguay in an attempt to influence the decision. Interestingly, a direct phone call from the then US Vice President, Mike Pence, to the Paraguayan president couldn't sway the decision in favor of retaining the embassy in Jerusalem.
After Uruguay's decision to establish a presence in Jerusalem was made public, Minister Cohen remarked, "Uruguay, being one of the most significant allies of Israel in Latin America, will only enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries through this new office in Jerusalem. It will also significantly bolster our economic and trade ties."
Glad to see Israel's FM Eli Cohen visit Paraguay and Uruguay. 🇮🇱🇵🇾🇺🇾
— B'nai B'rith Intl. (@BnaiBrith) August 16, 2023
In Paraguay, he attended the inauguration of incoming president, Santiago Peña, who has committed to move his country's embassy to Jerusalem.
Also in Paraguay, @elicoh1 met Uruguayan Pres. @LuisLacallePou. pic.twitter.com/ZzYUPhZQp1
During the inauguration ceremony of the President of Paraguay in Asuncion, Cohen met President of Uruguay, Luis Alberto Laquia Pau. He also held a political dialogue with Uruguay's Foreign Affairs Minister, Francisco Bustillo Bonasso, in Montevideo.
During these interactions, it was settled that Uruguay would soon open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem focusing on innovation cooperation. Cohen extended an invitation to the Uruguayan President for a visit to Israel, during which the new Ministry of Innovation is expected to be launched. Furthermore, they discussed increasing meat import quotas from Uruguay to Israel. This step is seen as a potential strategy to reduce meat prices in Israel, thereby addressing the soaring cost of living.
Uruguay to Open Diplomatic Office in Jerusalem - https://t.co/i2xJb67RHb @Uruguay #Israel @usembassyjlm #diplomaticoffice @elicoh1 @MontevideoNews @LuisLacallePou #FrancicsoBustilloBonasso @LatinamericaR
— The Jewish Voice (@JewishVoice) August 16, 2023
Moreover, Cohen emphasized to both the President and Foreign Minister of Uruguay the urgency to counteract Iranian efforts to stretch their influence in Latin America. He highlighted the imminent need to deter Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
