The Ripple Effect

Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and Prime Minister Netanyahu completed a mutual agreement to open embassies by the end of 2020. The announcement came from the prime minister’s office following a telephone conversation between the two leaders.

This announcement follows the recent Abraham Agreement treaties signed by Israel with the UAE and Bahrain, and the agreement of Serbia to move its embassy to Jerusalem, along with the recognition of Israel by Kosovo. Honduras has the second largest Palestinian population in Latin America.

President Hernandez cautiously expressed, “We hope to take this historic step before the end of the year, if the pandemic allows it.”

Ambassador Matanya Cohen, Israel Ambassador to Honduras and Guatemala, said on Army Radio, “They told me there’s no chance that Honduras will move its embassy because of the large Palestinian population there. I didn’t give up. We started with quiet contacts behind the scenes, with ministers, with parliament members, and the community.”

Honduras has made previous steps in their relationships with Israel by recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in 2019, and in January 2020 designated Hezbollah as a terrorist organization “in a move praised by Jerusalem.”

Nations are beginning to recognize what has been true for over 3,000 years, that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. Congratulations to Israel and Honduras for this significant achievement.

(Source: The Times of Israel)