Honduras considers Jerusalem embassy move, but wants benefits in return
Honduras has long been considered a likely candidate to be the next country to move its embassy to Jerusalem.
By HERB KEINONUpdated: JANUARY 2, 2019 19:46Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Honduras' President Juan Orlando Hernandez during a meeting in Brasilia, Brazil January 1, 2019.(photo credit: PRESIDENCY HONDURAS/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Honduras is interested in moving its embassy to Jerusalem, but wants to gain from both Israel and the US in return.This was apparent in the trilateral meeting held on Tuesday night in Brasilia between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Following the meeting, the State Department issued a statement saying that “it agreed to strengthen political relations and coordinate cooperation on development in Honduras. They also agreed to pursue a plan of action, which includes meetings in their three respective capitals, to advance the process of the decision to open embassies in both Tegucigalpa and Jerusalem.”Honduras has long been considered a likely candidate to be the next country to move its embassy to Jerusalem, something both Israel and the US are interested in happening – Washington because it wants to see other countries follow its lead from last May.Honduras, whose neighbor Guatemala is the only country who has followed the US move, has expressed interest in doing so, but wants benefits in return: namely, for Israel to open an embassy in its capital, and for better ties with Washington.A senior Israeli diplomatic officials said that he “hoped” Honduras would move its embassy within two months, and that in parallel Israel would open an embassy in Tegucigalpa. The official said that Honduras also asked for Israel’s help in creating an “opening” with the US.On Friday, US President Donald Trump threatened to cut US aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador for “doing nothing” to stop caravans of immigrants heading to the US. “Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are doing nothing for the United States but taking our money,” he tweeted. “Word is that a new Caravan is forming in Honduras and they are doing nothing about it. We will be cutting off all aid to these 3 countries – taking advantage of US for years!”The US provided $170 million in foreign aid to poverty-stricken Honduras in 2017.Israel is currently represented in Honduras by its ambassador in Guatemala. Opening an embassy there would cost an estimated $1 million annually.Along with Guatemala, Togo and four other small Pacific island states, Honduras was one of only seven countries that voted along with the US and Israel in December 2017 against a UN General Assembly resolution which condemned the US for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.Hernandez was invited to Israel in April to take part in the Independence Day torch-lighting ceremony as a representative of the 300,000 graduates from 140 countries, who have taken part in programs sponsored by Mashav, the Foreign Ministry’s Agency for International Development Cooperation. In 1992, Hernandez graduated from a Mashav program for young leaders.
His invitation, however, immediately drew fire, with Meretz head Tamar Zandberg terming the invitation “scandalous” because it “legitimizes a president responsible for grave human rights violations in his country.” Following the criticism, Hernandez withdrew his participation in the ceremony.
