Paraguayan President Santiago Peña arrived in Israel Wednesday, a day before he was to dedicate his country's embassy in Jerusalem.
The visit follows an invitation from Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, who conducted a diplomatic visit to Paraguay several months earlier.
A formal welcoming ceremony unfolded at the Knesset plaza, where President Peña arrived with a high-level delegation, including the parliament president, cabinet ministers, and additional lawmakers. The delegation participated in a meaningful signing ceremony in the Chagall State Hall, followed by press statements and a photo session, before meeting with Ohana in his office.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog hosted President Peña earlier in the day, opening with heartfelt remarks. "We are honored to host you and your wife here in Israel. Your arrival comes at a time when the Israeli public, people, and nation have endured and continue to endure an extraordinarily challenging, painful, and agonizing period. We have suffered the loss of our sons and daughters while 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza's tunnels."
In response, President Peña expressed his gratitude, stressing that he was "accompanied by a large and diverse delegation, including Congressional representatives from Paraguay. This demonstrates our support for Israel during these challenging times. But believe me, Mr. President, this was something we needed to do for ourselves. It represents a moral imperative from the Paraguayan people, and we carry with us the heart and spirit of over six million Paraguayans who feel deeply connected to the people of Israel. For us, this truly marks a historic turning point."
Speaking before the Knesset, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the assembly and said: "To the families of the hostages, our distinguished guests, and especially President Peña, my dear friend, and his wife Leticia – along with the esteemed Paraguayan delegation including the Speaker of the House – your significant visit, Mr. President, during our existential war fought on seven fronts against those seeking our destruction, merits exceptional recognition. During this conflict, we were deeply moved by your declaration that 'we will always stand with Israel, regardless of the cost – because this is the right side of history.'"
Netanyahu continued, adding that "taking a moral position isn't always the easy choice. Many turn away, many choose silence, thinking, 'this isn't our fight.' As a courageous, proactive leader, you chose engagement over indifference, and history will remember those who stood with Israel in its darkest hour. Our struggle is the struggle of all free nations.
"We face ruthless enemies, fanatics, barbarians. They attacked us with unspeakable brutality over a year ago. Their heinous crimes defy human description, and even the terrible footage only captures a fraction of these atrocities – the worst since the Holocaust. We are imposing severe consequences for their aggression, dismantling their infrastructure.
"Mr. President, the enduring friendship between Paraguay and Israel gains new significance today through your presence and this courageous alliance. Years ago, Paraguayan passports helped save hundreds, perhaps thousands of Jews from Nazi Germany, including my late father-in-law's family members. Shmuel Ben-Artzi found refuge in Paraguay when he fled.
"We face ruthless enemies, fanatics, barbarians. They attacked us with unspeakable brutality over a year ago. Their heinous crimes defy human description, and even the terrible footage only captures a fraction of these atrocities – the worst since the Holocaust. We are imposing severe consequences for their aggression, dismantling their infrastructure," Netanyahu said.
"President Santiago, dear friend, Israel stands at the heart of the Middle East. In this wild and turbulent region, we remain steadfast in our mission. We draw strength from our past, act decisively in the present, and work to shape the future. Your visit will strengthen the growing bonds between Paraguay and Israel. Together, we can achieve remarkable things.
"We admire the energy and experience you've brought to rejuvenate Paraguay toward a promising future. Israel eagerly seeks to assist you; we believe in sharing the fruits of progress with our friends rather than keeping them for ourselves.
"We will continue to defend ourselves resolutely against those who seek our destruction. Israel will persist in dismantling the terror networks of the Iran-led axis of evil."
