Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández
Photo: AFP
Honduran president rethinks attending Israel's 70th birthday celebrations
Second thoughts come on heels of sharp criticism in Israel of decision to invite Hernández to light a torch during Independence Day, with critics arguing his attendance would make way for PM to change apolitical nature of celebrations.
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández is reconsidering his decision to participate in Israel’s 70th Independence Day anniversary celebrations, according to a message relayed by his representatives to Israel on Monday.
Last week, Hernández confirmed he would attend the upcoming celebrations on Mount Herzl and accept the honor of being one of the torch lighters at the state ceremony.
Officials representing Hernández contacted the Israeli Foreign Ministry, however, and informed its staff that the president—a staunch supporter of Israel—was rethinking his original decision due to the fierce objections raised by senior Israeli officials to his arrival.
Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández (Photo: AP, Ohad Zwigenberg)
His arrival was welcomed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his close associates, since it paved the way for the Israeli leader to break with tradition and attend the celebrations, despite heavy opposition from Knesset leaders.
On Sunday, former Israeli diplomats slammed the decision to invite Hernández to light a torch at the ceremony on behalf of the Center for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFAIC), calling it a "cynical use and exploitation of the center."
According to protocol, the presence of a foreign head of state at an official state ceremony obligates the attendance of the prime minister.
The controversy was sparked after Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein threatened not to attend the torch lighting ceremony if an initiative by Culture Minister Miri Regev was introduced that would see Netanyahu and President Reuven Rivlin deliver a speech, triggering a dispute among ministers, former Knesset speakers and MKs.
When Hernández announced his planned participation, Regev appeared to have found a way to silence the ensuing political rancor, and praised his attendance.
(Photo: Kobi Gideon/GPO)
“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.
