This past week, as the nations of the world voted for Palestine in the UN General Assembly, Guatemala remained committed to Israel and rejected the Palestinian's Statehood bid. Guatemala is standing with Israel now as it stood with Israel 65 years ago, when it supported the establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine
Last week, in La Antigua, Guatemala, the KKL-JNF Latin America Leadership Conference took place. At the conference, an honorary dinner saluting Guatemala took place on the 29th of November, marking the day on which Guatemala expressed its support for the establishment of a the Jewish State of Israel at the UN, back in 1947.
Guatemala recieved a special KKL-JNF distinction at the dinner, which included an inscription in the KKL-JNF Golden Book, and 18 trees planted in its honor, representing the country's vote in favor of Israel at the UN.
The dinner was attended by 300 participants, including KKL-JNF World Chairman Efi Stenzler, KKL-JNF Global directory treasurer Hernán Feldman, Executive Director of the KKL-JNF Resources and Development Division, Avi Dickstein, KKL-JNF Director for Latin America, Arie Edelheit, and Jewish community leaders from across Latin America.
The ceremony was also attended by Guatemala´s Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Marta Roxana, among other Guatemalan dignitaries.
The guest of honor was Dalia Rabin, ex Deputy and Vice Minister of Defense, and Israeli Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin´s daughter, who said: “I am here to thank Guatemala´s people, who supported the UN vote for State of Israel´s creation. This is a night of appreciation to those who stood by us and made possible the creation of the Jewish State”.
For further information, comments or permission please contact
Ahuva Bar-Lev
KKL-JNF – Information and Publications
Email: ahuvab@kkl.org.il
Phone: 972-2-6583354 Fax:972-2-6583493
www.kkl.org.il/eng