Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez inaugurated Thursday his country’s embassy in East Jerusalem, becoming the fourth state to follow the US, Guatemala, and Kosovo.
The inauguration was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel's President Reuven Rivlin met earlier with Hernandez, describing the opening of the embassy as historically significant.
Bennett also met with Hernandez, who became the first foreign leader to hold talks with the Israeli PM since his election earlier this month.
“The Jewish people have a long memory, and you will be recorded in the pages of history as having done a brave and justified deed for the State of Israel,” Bennett said.
“Cooperation between our two countries is very diverse — from trade to agriculture, water, political and security issues,” he said.
“Our goal is to deepen the cooperation,” the PM added.
Hernandez noted that he first visited Israel 30 years ago to take part in a leadership development program run by Mashav, which he called “a life-changing experience.”
The embassy of Honduras is located close to Guatemala’s mission.
Three months ago, Israel opened an embassy in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. And last Sunday, the Israeli cabinet approved the appointment of Eldad Golan Rosenberg as Israel's Ambassador to Honduras.
