On Thursday, Paraguay officially opened its new embassy in Jerusalem, a move that has drawn significant international attention and criticism. The inauguration was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, alongside his wife, Laeticia Ocampos. The decision to establish the embassy in Jerusalem is seen as a reaffirmation of Israel’s claim to the city as its undivided capital, despite widespread global opposition.

Paraguay’s embassy move strengthens Israel’s controversial stance on Jerusalem, further undermining Palestinian aspirations for East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. This decision disregards international law and Palestinian rights, with the international community expressing concern over its impact on the prospects for peace in the region. The relocation of embassies to Jerusalem is viewed by many as a challenge to the two-state solution and an impediment to a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestinian political parties and political leaders have condemned Paraguay’s decision, viewing it as a violation of international law and a direct challenge to Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem. Husam Zomlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, referred to the move as a “blatant violation of international law,” reiterating the call for global resistance to Israel’s attempts to consolidate control over Jerusalem. The Palestinian leadership continues to push for international intervention to uphold the rights of Palestinians and the integrity of East Jerusalem.

The United Nations General Assembly has passed resolutions affirming Palestinian rights, including calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and greater support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA). These actions reflect a global consensus in support of Palestinian self-determination and the need for the preservation of East Jerusalem as the future capital of Palestine.

Despite growing international criticism over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, President Peña defended his country’s decision, calling it a “courageous and ambitious” step. His comments further underline Paraguay’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Israel, although this move reverses Paraguay’s earlier decision to reopen its embassy in Tel Aviv in 2018, following a brief relocation to Jerusalem in 2017.

After the embassy opening, Netanyahu and Peña held a bilateral meeting, during which several agreements were signed to enhance cooperation between the two countries. Peña also extended an invitation for Netanyahu to visit Paraguay. However, this move underscores the ongoing challenges Palestinians face as they continue to call for global action to preserve their rights and achieve a just peace in the region.