JERUSALEM — Paraguay marked its 215th Independence Day at its embassy in Jerusalem in June 2026, reaffirming its diplomatic presence in the city and deepening ties with Israel. The celebration coincided with Jerusalem Day and drew high-level Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and Knesset members Boaz Toporovsky and Evgeny Sova.

Ambassador Alejandro Rubin used the occasion to state Paraguay’s commitment to Israel, saying, “Paraguay is in Jerusalem because it believes in Israel. Paraguay is in Jerusalem because it honors its word. Paraguay is in Jerusalem because it understands that true friendship is shown with actions.” He added that the decision to locate the embassy in Jerusalem was “not directed against anyone but made in favor of historical truth and sincere friendship.”

Rubin described Jerusalem as “memory, faith, history, identity, and future,” and noted the symbolic resonance of Paraguay’s Independence Day aligning with Jerusalem Day. “Some coincidences are not invented. They simply exist. They wait to be seen with attention. And they invite us to think,” he said. He also emphasized that Paraguay’s support for Israel stems from societal sentiment, not just government policy, citing President Santiago Peña’s account that ordinary citizens urged him during his campaign to stand with Israel.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised Paraguay as a “stable friend” of Israel, saying, “With Paraguay, Ambassador, it’s not only that you really enjoy political stability and economic stability. It’s a stable friend of the State of Israel. Its friendship is stable.” He noted that Paraguay’s embassy location near his office served as “a hint for other embassies” and stressed that countries opening embassies in Jerusalem matter to Israel amid international pressure.

Since relocating its embassy to Jerusalem in December 2024, Paraguay has seen increased bilateral engagement, including new agreements and expanded trade. Ambassador Rubin reported that Paraguayan beef sales to Israel exceeded $80 million in the first quarter of 2026 and could surpass $300 million for the year. He said one of his goals is to ensure Israeli consumers recognize Paraguayan meat as a national product, stating, “We have worked to put the flag of Paraguay in Israel’s supermarkets.”

Rubin also described Paraguay as a platform for food, energy, water, agro-industry, applied technology, logistics, services, maquila, and investment, with access to Mercosur’s regional market. “Paraguay does not move by convenience. Paraguay moves by values,” he said.