Paraguay Stands in Solidarity with Israel Amid Forest Fires Near Jerusalem

Paraguay’s government expresses solidarity with Israel amidst severe forest fires near Jerusalem. The fires have resulted in evacuations and significant destruction. This incident coincides with Israel’s Independence Day, resulting in event cancellations. Paraguay solidifies its support for Israel through recent diplomatic moves under President Santiago Peña.

The government of Paraguay has publicly expressed solidarity with Israel as it grapples with devastating forest fires near Jerusalem. The Paraguayan Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement acknowledging the grave situation, saying, “We convey our wishes for a speedy recovery to the affected communities.” They underscored Paraguay’s role as a “friendly country” to Israel and committed to remaining “vigilant and supportive during these difficult times.”

A series of forest fires ignited on Wednesday in the rugged terrain west of Jerusalem, prompting urgent responses from local authorities who evacuated nearby towns and shut down roadways to prevent any further spread of the flames. According to reports from Yediot Ahronot, approximately 12,000 dunams—equivalent to around 1,200 hectares—have already been destroyed in the Shfelah region.

Additionally, this unfortunate incident coincides with Israel’s Independence Day celebrations, which occur from Wednesday through Thursday. As a result, many of the planned festivities have had to be canceled in light of the ongoing emergency.

Paraguay, under President Santiago Peña, has positioned itself as a supportive ally of Israel in South America. Just a month after taking office in September 2023, President Peña announced the relocation of Paraguay’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This transition marked a significant strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two nations, which was officially completed in December.

Paraguay’s support for Israel during this crisis shows its commitment to being a steadfast ally in the face of adversity. The devastating forest fires near Jerusalem not only triggered an emergency response but also led to the cancellation of Independence Day events. The diplomatic relationship continues to grow with Paraguay’s recent embassy relocation—a sign of deeper ties between the two countries.

Original Source: aurora-israel.co.il