Following a recent global wave of antisemitism, countries in Central America hosted a virtual solidarity with Israel event on Thursday, at which they presented a united front against antisemitism.
Guatemalan President Dr. Alejandro Giammattei, Israeli Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid, and other officials both from Israel and Central America took part in the event.
Representatives from Guatemala’s Jewish community as well as various organizations such as the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) and the Center for Jewish Impact (CJI) also took part in the virtual event.
The event was an opportunity to show support for Israel and to reject antisemitism in the wake of a spike in antisemitic incidents that occurred in the aftermath of Operation Guardian of the Walls.
The UK suffered its worst ever outbreak of antisemitic fervor in a one-month period from May 8 to June 7 since records began in 1984, with a massive increase in antisemitism during this period coming against the background of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
According to a new Community Security Trust report, an organization which tracks antisemitism in the UK, a total of 628 antisemitic hate incidents took place between the one-month period, more than four times the number of incidents during the same period in 2020 and the month prior to May 8, 2021.
Sacha Roytman-Dratwa, Combat Antisemitism Movement's executive director said that with Israel under constant attack and with antisemitic hatred flourishing worldwide, it was time for friends of Israel "to stand up and be counted in a display of resolute solidarity. The Central America Forum for Israel is the first event of many that will build a united front to combat the oldest form of hatred, while simultaneously strengthening the ties of the State of Israel to our partners in the region.”
Leopoldo Martinez, Israel Allies Foundation Latin America Director added: “It is not a coincidence that most of the leaders participating in the Central American Forum for Israel are Bible-believing Christians. We are seeing a growing number of Christian in Central America getting involved politically. The move of the Guatemalan embassy and more recently the Honduran embassy to Jerusalem is a testament to the success of faith-based diplomacy. This Forum is an important opportunity to unite and broadcast the voices of leaders in Central America who stand firmly with Israel and strongly against antisemitism.”
The actual rise in percentage terms from the month before the conflict to the May 8 – June 7 period was an incredible 365%.
“I am proud to say that the residents of Guatemala and Central America are among the closest allies of the Jewish people and The State of Israel,” said CJI chair Robert Singer.
“I would like to thank the president, the congress, the government and the Guatemalan people. I am glad to promote this special event.”
Jeremy Sharon contributed to this report.