Netanyahu thanks Romania and Honduras for embassy move to Jerusalem
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening thanked Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă who announced that her country will relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, and Honduran President Juan Hernandez who announced his country will upgrade its diplomatic presence in Jerusalem.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks at a joint press conference with Yoav Galant, Newly appointed Israeli Minister of Immigrant Absorption at the Kneeset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on January 9, 2019. Photo by Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90.
Speaking at the AIPAC convention, Dăncilă said she is “pleased” to announce that Romania will transfer its embassy to Jerusalem, “the capital of Israel.”
Saeb Erekat, secretary general of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), slammed Romania’s announcement, claiming it was “a blatant violation of Palestinian rights, international law, and UN resolutions.”
“It only contributes to eliminating the two-state solution, the only way towards peace and stability in the whole region,” said Erekat in a tweet.
He called upon the European Union to take action on this decision, which he stressed is a violation of Europe’s long-standing policy. “We are raising the matter with the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” said Erekat.
Hernandez stated that Honduras will “immediately” open a commercial and cooperation office in Jerusalem. This mission will be an extension of the Honduran embassy based in Tel Aviv.
“The ties between Honduras and Israel as of today are stronger,” Hernandez tweeted after his announcement, stressing that the new diplomatic mission will bring “much benefit to both nations.”
“I congratulate my friend, the Prime Minister of Romania, Viorica Dancila, on her announcement at AIPAC that she would act to complete the procedures needed to open the Romanian embassy in Jerusalem,” Netanyahu tweeted.
“I thank my friend, the President of Honduras Juan Orlando, for his announcement regarding the immediate opening of a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem that will deal with trade, as a first step towards transferring the embassy of Honduras to Jerusalem,” Netanyahu said of the Honduran announcement.
The US was the first to make the historic move last May. Several countries have followed suit, while others have upgraded their diplomatic presence in the city.
Hungary last week held a dedication ceremony for its new diplomatic trade mission in Jerusalem.
The diplomatic trade mission will be a branch of the Hungarian Embassy in Tel Aviv.
“There’s a plot waiting for you right next to the American embassy,” Netanyahu said at the ceremony.
Australia and Russia have recognized west Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
TPS
