The Guatemalan - Israeli Relations
Brief History

1947 BIRTH OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL

The United Nations Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) was created on May 15, 1947 to make recommendations concerning the future government of Palestine. Guatemala was part of this Commitee, represented by Dr. Jorge García Granados; Guatemalan Ambassador to the United Nations.

David Ben Gurion addressing UNSCOP (1947)

Mr. Rokach ( Mayor of Tel Aviv) addressing the audience during a UNSCOP visit to Palestine (1947)

On November 29, 1947, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 181 (II), which recommended adoption and implementation of the Plan of Partition with Economic Union.

The United States was the first country to vote in favor of the Resolution.  Dr. Jorge García Granados from Guatemala was second. In his book "This is how Israel was born", Dr. Garcia Granados describes how he and a group of diplomats, lobbied day and night to convince 13 Latin American countries to join with their decisive votes to pass Resolution 181(II).

November 29, 1947 - United Nations’ vote on Resolution 181 - 33 in favor, 13 against.

In 1948, Guatemala was the first country to open its embassy in Jerusalem. Dr. Jorge García Granados, assumed the role of first ambassador. The embassy remained in Jerusalem until 1980 when all countries moved their embassies to Tel Aviv.

Ambassador Dr. Jorge García Granados

Today there are three streets named Guatemala, and three named Dr. Jorge García Granados in various cities in Israel.

More than 10,000 Guatemalan nationals have been granted scholarships to study in Israel in various programs and workshops in different fields such as agriculture, medicine, technology, security and education, among others (Some members of President Jimmy Morales Cabinet have studied in Israel as part of this program) The Israeli government has also made substantial contributions of equipment and technology to Guatemala.

Guatemalan professionals attending seminars in Israel, funded by the Israeli government.

70 years later history repeats itself.

In March 4, 2018 Mr. Jimmy Morales, President of Guatemala, was the first and only country to this date, to follow the lead of United States of America in declaring its Embassy to return to Jerusalem in May 16 2018, where it rightfully belongs.

Friends of Zion Museum poster seen in Jerusalem streets.

Prime Minister Netanyahu thanks President Morales for returning Guatemala´s Embassy to Jerusalem

The Jewish Community of Guatemala
Brief History

OUR ROOTS

The first Jews arrived in Guatemala at the end of the nineteenth century. Emigrating from the Prussian towns of Kempen, Ostrowo and Pleschen.

During the first two decades of the past century, due to the precarious socio-economic situation of the Turkish Empire, Sephardic Jews emigrated to the American Continent. This moment marks the existence of a Sephardic Jewish community in Guatemala.

In 1920, Jews from Poland, Russia and the Baltic countries began to arrive in Guatemala, as well.

Shaarei Binyamin, (Orthodox Synagogue), within the Jewish Community Center of Guatemala

RELATIONSHIPS WITH GOVERNMENT, OTHER RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS AND THE GUATEMALAN PEOPLE

Since the first half of the twentieth century the Jewish Community of Guatemala and its members have always maintained cordial and respectful relations with government officials,  other religious organizations, political leaders, non profit organizations and participated actively in the economic sector.

Diplomatic relations between Israel and Guatemala have never been better. President Jimmy Morales, along with many of his cabinet members have expressed positive attitudes towards the State of Israel. Out of the 158 members of congress, 49 are affiliated to the Guatemala - Israel Parliamentary Friendship League.

More than 50% of Guatemala´s population are of Evangelical religious inclinations, upholding the State of Israel and the Jewish People in the highest esteem. The other 50% of the population are Catholic, and for years there has been a sense of mutual appreciation and respect between us. This is especially evident given the current situation that for Guatemala, as well as for all other countries in the western hemisphere, it is in their benefit to support a strong and prosperous State of Israel so it will uphold Judeo-Christian values, being the only real democracy in the Middle East.

President Jimmy Morales and Vice President Jafeth Cabrera at the Shaarei Binyamin Synagogue in the Jewish Community Center of Guatemala in (March of 2016)

Jewish Community Representatives, the Israeli Ambassador and dozens of Evangelical Pastors launching the Big National Rally to commemorate 70 years of the Creation of the State of Israel (January 2018)

Jewish Community members, marching along with thousands of Guatemalan nationals, in a rally supporting Israel (August of 2014).

In 2014, Yad Vashem Museum, The Ministry of Education and Jewish Community of Guatemala, signed an agreement to officially teach Holocaust Studies as part of the national curriculum in every high school.

High school students attending a play set during the Holocaust, “Butterflies Don’t Live Here Anymore". (March, 2015).

COMMUNITY GOALS

Currently the Jewish Community of Guatemala has less than 1,000 active members and operates a Community Center that includes an orthodox synagogue, full kosher kitchen, a kosher supermarket, a pre-school, Tarbut a K-12 Hebrew after school program, Macabi Hatzair youth movement, Lechaim for seniors; we also run local chapters for Keren Hayesod, Keren Kayemet, Wizo, B´nai Brith, among many other services. With these services available, we strive to grow and can easily accommodate a community of 3,000 members.

Students attending Tarbut (K-12 Hebrew after school program).

Your donation will be invested in enhancing this 5 basic areas:

1. Jewish and Hebrew Education for all ages
2. Synagogue and religious Services
3. New Jewish Immigrant Families’ Relocation Program to Guatemala
4. Enhancing public relations to reinforce positive attitudes and actions towards the Jewish People and the State of Israel in general.
5. Growing our Endowment Fund in order to guarantee a long term future for the generations to come.