Israel鈥揚araguay relations refers to the current and historical relationship between
Israel and
Paraguay. Both countries have full diplomatic relations since the middle of the 20th century, and each has been represented by a full embassy in the other, until 2018.
History
In 1947, Paraguay was one of the thirty-three countries to vote for the
United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, effectively paving way for the creation of Israel.[1] The two countries opened up diplomatic relations in 1949.[2]
Israel's embassy in
Asunci贸n was closed in 2002 due to budget cuts, although legal professionals in Israel alleged that it was on religious grounds (as it relates to mutual recognition of marriages by both countries).[3][4] It was reopened in July 2015.[4] In 2005, the Paraguayan embassy in
Mevaseret Zion was closed, also due to budgetary constraints, and reopened in 2013 in the
Tel Aviv District city of
Herzliya.
On May 21, 2018,
Paraguayan PresidentHoracio Cartes announced that the Paraguayan embassy moved to
Jerusalem, becoming the third country in the world, after the
United States and
Guatemala, to recognize the city as the diplomatic capital of Israel.[5]Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu greatly appreciated it; on the very day of the transfer, he attended the opening ceremony and there expressed an enduring friendship.[6] This was reversed in September 2018 by Cartes' successor,
Mario Abdo Ben铆tez. Foreign Minister
Luis Castiglioni stated that "Paraguay wants to contribute to an intensification of regional diplomatic efforts to achieve a broad, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East."[7] Israel subsequently shut down its embassy and cancelled a delegation aimed at aiding Paraguay's economic development.[8][9] In May 2023, President-elect
Santiago Pe帽a announced that he intended to move the Paraguayan Embassy in Israel from
Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem again after being sworn in as president.[10] After being sworn in, President
Pe帽a followed through on his promise, announcing the Paraguayan Embassy would open in
Jerusalem before the end of 2023.[11]
In 2024, Paraguay supported Israel in the
South African case against Israel
In January 2016, Israel sent aid to assist Paraguay in coping with the heavy flooding that had taken place there and had displaced about 100,000 people.[4] In June 2016,
Netafim sent advanced
drip irrigation systems to help Paraguay with a drought through Israel's embassy in Asunci贸n.[13]
Trade relations
Israel's exports to Paraguay totaled US$6.69 million in 2014, focusing on electronics and minerals.[14] Paraguay's exports to Israel in the same year totaled US$145 million, made up almost exclusively of frozen meat and soybeans.[15]
In 2005, when Israel's exports to Paraguay totaled US$2.5 million, the two countries signed a mutual export agreement, which stipulated that each country would help increase mutual trade.[16] In 2010, Israel and Paraguay also agreed to cooperate on agriculture and signed as customs agreement.[17]
In November 2005, Vice-President
Luis Castiglioni of Paraguay made an official visit to Israel.[2]
In November 2013, Paraguay's minister of industry and commerce
Gustavo Leite visited Israel for its WATEC water technology conference, as a guest of then-minister of economy
Naftali Bennett.[19]
In July 2016, President
Horacio Cartes made an official visit to Israel, the first by a Paraguayan president. Among other things, he signed a
memorandum of understanding under which Israel would assist Paraguay technologically.[20]