On the eve of Thursday, 10 September 2026, the Ambassadors of the Republic of the Central American Republics, H.E. Mr. Antonio Lopez Escarre, Ambassador of the Republic of Costa Rica, H.E. Ms. Ava Atzum Arevalo de Moscoso, Ambassador of the Republic of Guatemala and H.E. Mr. Jose Luis Nunez Bennett, Ambassador of the Republic of Honduras hosted a reception in the lobby of Tower Building, Malha, Jerusalem, the location of the Guatemalan Embassy.
The excitement was palpable as guests were in a festive mood being the evening preceding the Jewish New Year.
There was a movie about Central America's mesmerizing geographical beauty.
Gabriel Hayon, Director of the Diplomatic Institute was the Emcee.
The President of Israel and the First Lady, H.E. Mr. Isaac and Mrs. Michal Herzog were the guests of honour.
The anthems of the Central American Republics were played followed by the enthusiastic singing of Hatikvah.
During the singing of Hatikvah, the First Lady, Ms. Michal Herzog used sign language (ISL) in solidarity with Israel's hard of hearing and deaf community.
The President commenced his speech saying that he was elated to be present at the 205th anniversary reception of Central American independence after having earlier arrived from a state visit to Cyprus. When nations build bridges, meaningful change and goodwill prevails.
Today. I shared my vision with the President of Cyprus, H.E. Mr. Nikos Christodoulides that my dream is that someday soon, nations in the region will stand together including Lebanon. Israel's heart is open to alliances with peace seeking nations. There are many expressions of friendship between Israel and Central America. Honduras recently opened an Embassy in Jerusalem and Costa Rica will soon be opening a Trade and Investment Office too. I have had the experience of visiting Costa Rica where I attended President Laura Fernandez Delago's inauguration. I have also had the honour of meeting the President of Guatemala, H.E. Mr. Bernardo Arevalo and Honduras's President, H.E. Mr. Nasry Asfura with whom we hope to expand our relations. Relations between Israel, Chile and Colombia have been renewed and this is what happens when a spirit of solidarity and friendship is sincere. Our friendship with Guatemala dates back to prior to the establishment of Israel as bilateral relations are concomitant to our interests. The Central American Republics and Israel, which are small nations, are geographically separated by great distances however the intensity of our friendship is deep. Regarding sanctions of goods made in Judea and Samaria, Israel is greatly disappointed by the recent actions of certain European countries, this decision corrodes trust. Sadly many Palestinian livelihoods depending on jobs will severely be affected. A return to constructive dialogue will result in a more meaningful and productive outcome. We welcome a year filled with bountiful friendship and cooperation.
On behalf of the three Ambassadors, H.E. Mr. Jose Nunez Bennett, Ambassador of the Republic of Honduras, addressed the audience warmly welcoming the President saying that the three sister nations that once were part of the former United Provinces of Central America which was later known as the Federal Republic of Central America welcome you. We share deep roots, a common history and values that have accompanied the building of our nations. At the same time each country has followed its own path and thus built a unique relationship with Israel.
Costa Rica has a historic friendship with Israel built over decades of diplomatic exchanges, cooperation and exchanges developing collaboration in agriculture, education, technology, innovation and development. The decision to establish a Procomer Innovation, Trade and Investment Office in Jerusalem is an important step.
On the 15th of May 1948, Guatemala became the second country to recognize the nascent State of Israel. Seventy years later, Guatemala became the second country to relocate its Embassy to Jerusalem. Ties have grown in agriculture, technology, innovation education, security, trade and development. Recently Guatemala unveiled a plaque at David's City as an expression of the historical, cultural and friendly ties between our peoples.
Honduras shares a long history with Israel. On the 11th of July 1947, the Exodus, registered under a Hondurian flag, departed from France carrying more than 4500 Holocaust survivors bound for Israel. The British Navy intercepted the ship and it was forced to return to Europe. This event generated international condemnation and accelerated the process that less than a year later that led to the creation of the State of Israel. Today that Honduran flag forms part of the collection of the Naval Museum in Haifa. In 2021 Honduras officially relocated its Embassy to Jerusalem and was the second Latin American country to do so. Under President Asfura, we are witnessing a renewal of rapprochement and intensification consolidating the bonds of friendship between Honduras and Israel. On the 16th of August 2026, the Hondurian and Israeli Ministers of Defence signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening cooperation in the field of defence.
The Central American Republics have our own history, identity and unique relationship with Israel. Commemorating 205 years of independence means remembering where we come from and honouring those valiant men and women who built our nation's while simultaneously looking ahead and how we can build a better future for generations to follow. Regarding Israel, we share the same aspirations for growth and the continued creation of new opportunities for cooperation, development, friendship and understanding among our people.
The President, accompanied by the three Ambassadors on stage, where a toast was taken followed by the blowing of the shofar in honour of the forthcoming Jewish New Year.
Present were Ambassadors, diplomats, military attaches, Honorary Consuls, state officials not to forget mentioning Mr. Gil Haskel, Foreign Ministry's Chief of State Protocol, Mr. Amir Ofek, Foreign Affairs Deputy Director of Latin America and the Caribbean, Mr. Amit Zarouk, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Tony Reichler, the Knesset's Head of International Relations, Mr. Maor Ifrah, an advisor to the Foreign Ministry's Director General, Mr. Nathan Allalouf, Costa Rica's Honorary Consul and president of the Allalouf Group, Mr. Luis Har who recently completed an autobiographical account about his experience in Hamas captivity, Mr. Leo Glaser, a Businessman, originally from Cordova, Argentina who immigrated to Israel in 1968, Mr. Fernando Bisker, Ambassador of Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons With Disabilities, Mr. Claiborne Gayden, the United States Embassy's Political Officer, Mr. Hernan Feldman, Guatemala Honorary Consul and Hameshakem's Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Issac Aisen, Media Mogul visiting from Mexico City, Ms. Georgina Litvak, Hotel Benjamin in Herzliya Pituach's Corporate Sales Manager, Mr. Amir Sade , Special Advisor to Grert Berr and Mr. Daniel Voiczek, Friends of Zion Museum's General Manager
Diplomacy.co.il and www.diariojudio.com extend its congratulations to the three Central American Ambassadors in honour of this auspicious occasion of independence as well its sincere appreciation, gratitude and thanks to all Embassy staff involved in making the evening memorable. .
Photos Silvia G. Golan
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