Israel inaugurates embassy in Paraguay, dedicates it with mezuzah from home of Hamas massacre victim

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña and Israeli Ambassador to Paraguay Yoed Magen inaugurated the new Israeli Embassy in the Paraguayan capital Asuncion on Wednesday.

Peña, who is a strong Israel supporter, expressed his solidarity with the Jewish state after the Oct. 7 terror attack, when 6,000 Hamas terrorists invaded the Israeli border, killing 1,200 Israelis and kidnapping 251 hostages.

“We mourn together with the Jewish people for what happened on October 7. We are not just together now – we will remain together always,” the Paraguayan president stated.

Paraguay and Israel currently enjoy close diplomatic and commercial relations. However, Peña emphasized that the bilateral relations went “beyond economic ties” and are “rooted in faith, hope, and the shared belief that we have the right to dream big and achieve our dreams together.”

In a symbolic gesture, hostage family member Avi Hasidim affixed a mezuzah to the embassy door, which belonged to his son Naor and his wife Sivan Elkabetz, who were brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists in their home in Kfar Aza on Oct. 7.

A mezuzah is a small case containing a handwritten scroll of parchment, inscribed with verses from the Torah, including the Shema, a central declaration of the Jewish faith. Traditionally, it is affixed to the doorposts of Jewish homes as a reminder of God's commandments and presence (Deuteronomy 6:9, 11:20). Israeli law requires installing mezuzahs in all public institutions.

Knesset Speaker MK Ohana dedicates Israeli embassy together with President of Paraguay; Father of October 7 victim affixes mezuzah: “This mezuzah is the continuity of my son”https://t.co/yl2cYtaGRx
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— The Knesset (@KnessetENG) September 19, 2024

“This mezuzah is the heart of Naor and Sivan,” Hasidim said. “This mezuzah is precious to us. It symbolizes the continuation of my son.”

“Two weeks from now, they were supposed to be married. This mezuzah is the gift they have left for you, the gift they have given to the world,” the grieving father concluded.

Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana attended the embassy opening and said he was honored to attend.

“It is a unique honor to inaugurate the Israeli embassy in Asuncion. This is the fulfillment of a 4,000-year-old commandment,” Ohana said.

“Paraguay, a nation renowned for its loyalty to noble values, truly deserves to be the country where this sacred mezuzah of Sivan and Naor is placed. On behalf of the Knesset, representing all the people of Israel and the Jewish people, thank you, Paraguay,” Ohana added.

He also urged world leaders to pressure Hamas to release the remaining 101 Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

“The world must pressure Hamas so we can bring them home.”

Peña stated that he intends to reopen his nation's embassy in the Israeli capital Jerusalem in December, according to a Knesset statement on Wednesday.

In August 2023, then newly-elected president Peña vowed to reopen Paraguay’s embassy in Jerusalem in a reciprocal move where the State of Israel committed to opening an embassy in Asuncion.

At the time, former Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stressed the importance of strengthening the ties between the two countries.

“The opening of the Paraguayan embassy in Jerusalem along with the Israeli embassy in Asuncion will strengthen Israel’s regional and international position as well as the important ties between the countries. We will continue and strengthen the important historical connection with the countries of Latin America, which have long stood by the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” Cohen said.