Guatemala has opened its embassy in Jerusalem, following in the footsteps of the United States that inaugurated its embassy in the city two days prior, in a move that has triggered international condemnation.
Wednesday’s development comes amid widespread anger and protests in the occupied Palestinian territories, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, or Catastrophe.
The event marks the day when Israel was created in a violent campaign that led to the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland.
The inauguration of the Guatemalan embassy, which was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, also comes amid outrage over the Israeli army’s killing of 62 Palestinians protesting in the Gaza Strip on May 14.
Morales said Guatemala was sending a message of “love, peace and fraternity” to Israel amid praise from Netanyahu.
Source: Aljazeera
