World

Guatemala Follows Trump’s Lead, Opens Embassy In Jerusalem

DEBBIE HILL/AFP/Getty Images

Mike Brest Reporter
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Guatemala opened its new embassy in Jerusalem, following the United States in recognizing Jerusalem as the official capital of Israel.

This comes two days after the United States opened their embassy in Jerusalem, which was the first one to open in the city that Israel considers its capital.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales was in attendance for the opening of the embassy. He tweeted, “We are initiating a historic day in the friendship between Guatemala and Israel.”

After President Trump’s announced his decision to move the embassy, President Morales made the same choice in December. At least 60 Palestinians have been killed protesting in Gaza.

The United States had previously recognized Tel Aviv as the capital of the nation for safety and political reasons. Both Israelis and Palestinians consider Jerusalem a holy city and they have fought over it since Israel’s inception.

This is not the first time Guatemala has mimicked a U.S. decision when it comes to Israel. Seventy years ago, the Guatemalan government recognized Israel’s independence following the U.S.’s decision to do so.