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Israel´s government honored Guatemala, which was one of the most important promoters during the Israel´s state creation, with a Keren Kayemet LeIsrael (KKL) distinction. This included a golden book and a certificate of 18 trees, which represents the country´s vote in favour of Israel during its recognition as a state in the UN.
The dinner was assisted by more than 300 people and was made during the KKL Jewish Leaders Annual Congress, which is taking place in La Antigua city, Guatemala, and which is gathering more than 100 Jewish leaders from 15 Latin American countries.
The guest of honor was Dalia Rabin, ex deputy and Defense vice minister, and Israeli prime minister Itzjak Rabin´s daughter, who said: “I am here to thank Guatemala´s people that supported the UN vote for Israel´s state creation. This is a night of appreciation to those who stood by us and made possible the creation of the Jewish State”.
This appreciation was for the main Guatemalan leaders that supported and promoted the Jewish State creation in the region. The most emotive moment of the night was during the projection of the voting in the UN when the Israel State was created.
KKL Guatemala´s president, Susan Michaeli, said: “In 1947, 65 years ago, in the UN the Jewish State was created thanks to 33 nations”.
During the ceremony, Guatemala´s foreign minister, Harold Caballeros, was also present, and he outlined the friendship between Israel and Guatemala. He also said that “the relationship is in an ideal point”.
Israel´s ambassador in Guatemala, Eliahu Lopez, said: “The Jewish unity is famous all over the world and is our strength. I think we will have the support of all communities and people that stood by us in 1947 to go on in light of the Iranian terrorism and Hamas threats”.
The ceremony matches with the 65º anniversary of the UN´s approval of the Jewish State´s creation, which ended in the Israel´s Independence six months later.
During the meeting Guatemala´s ex president Juan José Arevalo, Carlos García Bauer and Guatemala´s ambassador in the UN, Jorge García Granados, were honored. Their grandsons where present. The ceremony was also attended by Guatemala´s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Marta Roxana, among other Guatemalan leaders.
KKL´s world president, Efi Stenzler, global directory treasurer, Hernán Feldman, KKL resources director, Avi Dickstein, and KKL director for Latin America, Arie Edelheit, where also present.
The ambassadors from Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, United States, Peru, Panama, Netherlands, Dominican Republic, Russia, Sweden, Uruguay and European Union, and the consuls from Bolivia, Denmark, Slovakia, Island, Colombia, Paraguay y Czech Republic participated.