Meretz chief seeks to rescind Honduran president's invitation
MK Zandberg pens letter to Culture Minister Regev asking to abort invitation of Honduran president to Independence Day's torch lighting ceremony, citing his responsibility for 'gross violations of human rights' in his country and the invitation being a 'pretext to allow PM Netanyahu to attend as well.'
Regev's decision to approve Hernández's participation, the Meretz chief claimed, was a "scandalous decision that legitimizes a president responsible for gross violations of human rights in his country, solely to provide an excuse for (Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu to attend as well."
Zandberg continued, "Honduras has one of the world's most corrupt and dangerous police forces. According to reports, civil and military police and the army itself have been involved in serious violations of human rights in the past few years, including torture, threats and extra-judicial killings of reporters and activists for the environment, farmers' rights, LGBT rights and Indians' rights."
"The military police and army," the MK added, "have been involved in kidnapping and rapes—all under the umbrella of immunity afforded them by the country's corrupt judicial system."
"Under these circumstances," Zandberg summed up her missive, "I am contacting you to rescind the decision to have the president participate in the torch lighting ceremony. The word 'And to the glory of the State of Israel,' uttered before each torch is lit, will pale in the face of this unwanted guest and the circumstances surrounding his invitation."
Regev rejected Zandberg's request and criticism. "It would be best for all of the shouters from the Left, and primarily Miss Zandberg, maintain stately behavior instead of looking for headlines," she said.
The culture minister also rejected criticism of Hernández's own conduct in his country, saying "these are empty accusations with no basis."
Road to PM Netanyahu's attendance in the ceremony paved?
Honduran President Hernández confirmed Thursday he will attend Israel's 70th birthday ceremony on Independence Day, a move which will likely pave the way for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to attend the celebrations, despite fierce opposition from Knesset leaders.
While Netanyahu is now expected to attend, it remains unclear whether he will speak at the ceremony.
According to protocol, the presence of a foreign president at an official state ceremony obligates the attendance of the prime minister. The question whether Netanyahu will attend remains, on the backdrop of an ongoing confrontation on the matter between Regev and Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein, who said he will not be attending if the premier does.
Minister Regev confirmed that a MFAIC delegate would participate in the ceremony together with the Honduran president, who graduated from the organization in 1992.
Hernández began his diplomatic career after completing a social leadership course at the MFAIC that year and was the first graduate who eventually became a head of state.
The MFAIC was founded as the official aid arm of the State of Israel and to the present day it has trained almost 300,000 cadets from some 140 developing countries in fields in which Israel is known to excel, such as agriculture, education, medicine, empowering women and preparing for emergencies.
"I welcome the Honduran president. I am happy and proud that the Honduran president, a graduate of the MFAIC course, will be coming to the ceremony and will be accompanied by the torch-light on behalf of the Foreign Ministry," Regev said.
"The MFAIC is the bearer of Israel's message of 'Tikkun olam' (healing the world) and brings with it to every place around the globe, in times of stress and normality, the wisdom and knowledge that exists in Israel in order to make the entire world a better place," she added.
"Strengthening the good in the world is a goal for the State of Israel and I am happy that the center will carry a torch at Israel's 70th Independence Day ceremony," the minister concluded.
