May 14, 2019: The First Lady of Guatemala and KKL-JNF celebrate the first year since the return of the Guatemalan Embassy to Jerusalem with a festive rededication ceremony of Guatemala Park in Jerusalem.
Guatemalan First Lady
Patricia Marroquin de Morales marked the first year anniversary of the return of the Guatemalan embassy to Jerusalem by her husband President Jimmy Morales, with a rededication ceremony of
KKL-JNF Guatemala Park (
Gan Guatemala) in Jerusalem on May 14.
“Israel and Guatemala have been [together] forever and for eternity. I am very proud to be here commemorating the return of the embassy to Jerusalem,” said Marroquin de Morales at the ceremony in Guatemala Park.
The park, which is located behind the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, is accessible and includes special playground facilities for children with physical limitations.
“It was a brave decision of my husband, who listened to his heart and acted correctly. I am very proud and privileged to be able to be here in the name of my country and my husband. Everybody present should be proud to be here and to be a part of this history.”
Guatemala reopened its embassy in Jerusalem two days after the United States opened an embassy in Jerusalem last year on May 14.
Honored guests at the ceremony included
Mario Búcaro, Guatemalan Ambassador to Israel;
Michelle Buchmann, former U.S. Republican presidential candidate;
Fleur Hassan-Nahoum, Vice Mayor of Jerusalem;
Eli Dukorsky, Mayor of Kiryat Bialik;
Modi Ephraim, Director General of the Israeli Foreign Ministry’s Latin America and Caribbean Department; and
Aryeh Lightstone, U.S. Embassy Senior Advisor. Delegations present included the White House Faith and Opportunity Initiative, and the Latino Coalition for Israel.
Ariel Goldgewicht, KKL-JNF Latin America Department Director, opened the ceremony with a warm greeting to everyone present.
KKL-JNF Vice President
Hernán Felman noted the eternal
friendship between Israel and Guatemala, specifying the crucial role of Guatemalan ambassador to the UN, Dr. Jorge Garcia Granados, in convincing other Latin American countries to vote in favor of the State of Israel’s establishment in 1948.
“This park is a symbol of our unity, for which we will work together towards a better world,” said Felman. Addressing First Lady Patricia Marroquin de Morales, he said, “This is not a new friendship but one which started with Jorge Garcia Granados, who deserves all of Israel’s love and respect. Your husband is following the footsteps of Garcia Granados and his name will also be written down in history.”
He also thanked Garcia Granados’ granddaughter, Carla, for her presence at the ceremony and noted that KKL-JNF has been involved in the restoration of land and
Zionist education for 118 years.
Modi Ephraim of the Israeli Foreign Ministry said that the occasion was a very emotional one, commemorating the return of the Guatemalan embassy to Jerusalem. He also noted the strengthening economic ties and professional exchanges between the two countries.
“President Jimmy Morales is closing a circle of history,” he concluded.
Jerusalem Vice Mayor Fleur Hassan-Nahoum said that as Israel does not have many friends in the world, she deeply appreciates those that it has. She pointed out that not very far from the park, there is a street and a school named for Guatemala.
“We will continue looking for ways to strengthen our relationship and our friendship. We embrace you with much love here in Jerusalem,” she said.
“There is no greater tribute that can be given to Guatemala than this park,” added Aryeh Lightstone, Senior Advisor to US Ambassador David Friedman. “This is dedicated to a country of vision and conviction. This is a place all children will benefit from.”
At the start of his speech, Guatemalan Ambassador to Israel Mario Búcaro announced that he would address the audience in English because he wanted to “tell the world that Guatemala is here.”
“In the past Guatemala has always been a friend of Israel, but I can say that the brave decision of Jimmy Morales has made us true allies of Israel,” said Búcaro. “We will always be friends and allies, and will always be proud to be a friend of Israel.”
He said the two countries were working for a future of economic cooperation, noting that trade between them had grown by 20 percent.
“This goes beyond Jerusalem. It goes from South to North, from East to West, to show that we deeply love Israel. We have been victims of terrorism and we know what peace is, so we want that peace can be here forever and in eternity. That is our prayer,” he said.
Mr. Hernán Felman presented both Mrs. Patricia Marroquín de Morales and Mr. Mario Búcaro with framed certificates documenting the inscription of their names in the
KKL-JNF Golden Book - the highest honor that KKL-JNF bestows.