News / Palestine

Guatemala: US billionaire arranged Israel trip for embassy move

Saturday, 26 May 2018 8:29 AM [ Last Update: Saturday, 26 May 2018 8:32 AM ]

Hilda Patricia Marroquin, the wife of Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales, cuts the ribbon during the inauguration ceremony of the Guatemalan embassy in Jerusalem al-Quds on May 16, 2018, as she stands besides (from R to L) Morales, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara. (Photo by Reuters)

Guatemala has admitted that US casino mogul Sheldon Adelson provided a plane for a delegation's trip to Israel to attend the embassy relocation ceremony in Jerusalem al-Quds.

Speaking on a radio show on Friday, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Sandra Jovel said that Adelson had provided the Boeing 767 aircraft, which carried the Latin American country's government officials and guests, including religious leaders, to the occupied lands last week.

She also claimed that Adelson had no business interests in Guatemala.

Sheldon Adelson is seen during a reception for the dedication ceremony of the embassy of Guatemala in Jerusalem al-Quds, at the King David hotel, May 16, 2018. (Photo by Reuters)

The revelation, however, sparked criticisms about a possible breach of the law by the Guatemalan government.

Manfredo Marroquin, director of civil society organization Citizen Action, said Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales' administration had violated the law that prohibits such gifts.

Additionally, Guatemala's human rights prosecutor expressed concerns over the arrangement with Adelson.

"You don't know if what he's doing is laying the groundwork for personal interests," Jordan Rodas said.

PressTV-Guatemala to move embassy to J'salem al-Quds after US

President Jimmy Morales made the announcement in Washington Sunday in an address to the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Guatemala opened its embassy in the occupied Jerusalem al-Quds on May 16, with Morales and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attending the ceremony.

“It’s not a coincidence that Guatemala is opening its embassy in Jerusalem right among the first. You were always among the first. You were the second country to recognize Israel,” Netanyahu said at the event.

The Guatemalan embassy inauguration came two days after the US transferred its mission from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem al-Quds in defiance of international condemnation.

The relocation took place months after US President Donald Trump recognized the occupied city as the “capital” of Israel.

Israel lays claim to the whole Jerusalem al-Quds, but the international community views the city’s eastern sector as an occupied territory and Palestinians consider it as the capital of their future state.

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