Netanyahu commends Paraguayan president on response to ICC arrest warrant
Pena’s visit is centered on Paraguay’s moving its embassy to Jerusalem.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday commended Paraguayan president Santiago Pena on his country’s rejection of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants against him and former defense minister Yoav Gallant.
Peña’s visit is centered on Paraguay’s move of its embassy to Jerusalem. The move was first announced in May 2018 but was reversed in September of that year by the previous Paraguayan president.
A country that understands the truth
In his speech at a special session welcoming Peña to the Knesset in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said that Paraguay was a country that understood the truth about the accusations.“I thank you for your stand in the service of truth – to refute false and slanderous allegations hurled at Israel day after day,” the prime minister said.“The latest example is the scandalous, antisemitic decision of the International Criminal Court in The Hague to issue arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, and possibly later against Israeli soldiers, who defend our country from its enemies,” Netanyahu said.
“We are the ones defending against dark forces committing war crimes – and yet we are falsely accused of such crimes. What an absurdity, what a shame.
“Fortunately, you, Santiago, bravely stand against the lies and for the truth. This stance should be expressed in all international forums. I can assure you that we will continue to fight vigorously for the truth, and at the same time, we will fight vigorously against those who rise up to destroy us.
“Israel will continue to crush the terror networks of the axis of evil led by Iran,” the prime minister added. “We will defend our existence, ensure our future, and strive to establish peace relations with all who wish to live with us in peace.”
Opposition leader MK Yair Lapid, who spoke after Netanyahu, spoke about the importance of liberal democracy and argued that in an age of chaos in many democracies, Israel must make efforts to maintain its liberal character.“You come to us at a painful moment,” Lapid said. “Our hostages are still in Gaza. We count our dead every day. Not only here in Israel, but everywhere, we live in a world gone mad,” he said, listing a number of countries where democracy is being challenged and alluding to Netanyahu’s testimony in his criminal trial, which began on Tuesday.“We must also rediscover our own voice.” Lapid continued. “The rational leaders and nations around the world must remember and constantly be reminded: There is no stronger and more just version of the nation-state than a liberal democracy that upholds the law.“Only a liberal democracy knows how to build connections with other free nations, Mr. President, understanding that shared values are the foundation of the friendship and cooperation that will lead our nations forward into the twenty-first century.“Israel will be a liberal democracy, or it will not be,” Lapid said.Peña commended what he said were shared values between the Jewish and Paraguayan people: a deep sense of religiosity that sanctifies human life, the understanding that adversity and sacrifice were intrinsic to enduring and thriving, and the necessity of tough leadership amidst historically hostile surroundings.Explaining his decision to move Paraguay’s embassy to Jerusalem, Peña said that Jerusalem was the heart of the Jewish people and, therefore, was Israel’s eternal capital.Peña condemned the rise of antisemitism and stressed his country’s dedication to standing by Israel when many other countries were “turning their backs.”Earlier this year, Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote on X/Twitter following the ICC decision, “The Government of the Republic of Paraguay regrets the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against the prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the former defense minister, Yoav Gallant. This decision violates Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself.“Paraguay strongly rejects the political exploitation of international law and considers that this decision compromises the legitimacy of the Court, in addition to weakening efforts for peace, security, and stability in the Middle East.”
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