(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Monday, 25 December 2017), at the Knesset, made the following remarks:
"Last night I spoke with my friend, Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales. I thanked him for Guatemala's support for us in the UN (General Assembly) vote and I expressed my hope that he would follow in the footsteps of US President Donald Trump, recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and begin to move the embassy to it. Later in the evening he issued the following statement:
'I spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. We discussed the excellent relations between the countries since Guatemala's support for the establishment of Israel. One of the most relevant subjects was the return of the Embassy of Guatemala to Jerusalem. I have instructed the Foreign Minister to begin coordinating the implementation of the move. G-d bless you.'
From here I would like to say to the President of Guatemala:
G-d bless you, my friend, President Morales.
G-d bless both our countries – Israel and Guatemala.
We are waiting for you here in Jerusalem.
I told you recently that there will be other countries that would recognize Jerusalem and announce the transfer of their embassies to it. Well here is the second country and I reiterate: It is only the beginning and it is important."