The leaders met privately and then held a working meeting with the participation of Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, Honduran Secretary of State for Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Lisandro Rosales Banegas, the Honduran Minister of the Presidency and the head of the Honduran tax authority.

 

Following the meeting, the foreign ministers signed a bilateral MOU regarding plans and projects in agriculture, water resource management, health and sharing information on developing innovation. An agreement was also signed on the employment of the spouses of diplomatic, administrative, consular and technical representatives in diplomatic missions in order for them to receive permits to work outside the embassy.

 

The leaders then inaugurated the Honduran Embassy in Jerusalem.

 

Prime Minister Bennett's statement to the media:

 

"Welcome to our eternal capital Jerusalem.

Your arrival to inaugurate the Honduran Embassy in Jerusalem, the reopening of the Israeli Embassy in Tegucigalpa and the cooperation agreement that we have just signed, are an additional indicatIon of the abiding friendship and deep link between the Jewish state, the State of Israel, and the people and nation of Honduras, under your leadership.

 

Mr. President, you are a true friend of Israel. The Jewish people have a long memory and you will inscribed on the pages of history as one who took a courageous and correct action for the State of Israel. Thank you.

 

Bilateral cooperation is very multi-faceted, beginning with trade, agriculture and water, and continuing through to diplomatic and security issues. In the past year we all came together to fight the coronavirus. Every country is still dealing with the pandemic in its own way. We also have the goal of deepening cooperation and we have agreed on expanding into high-tech and cyber, among other fields.

 

Mr. President, under your leadership Honduras has consistently stood alongside Israel in international institutions even when that was not always popular and even when it occasionally exacted a price. This attests to friendship – the willingness to take actions that entail paying a price. I would like to thank you and the Honduran public for this support.

 

We have also seen this recently during Operation Guardian of the Walls, in which the Hamas terrorist organization fired thousands of rockets at the citizens of Israel even as it cynically used the people of Gaza – women, children and the elderly – as human shields. This was a double war crime: Firing at Israeli citizens and immediately harming the citizens and residents of Gaza.

 

We regret that Hamas has consistently chosen to invest in terrorism instead of in education, infrastructures and economic development. What has been is not what will be. Regarding Gaza, our rule is simple: Actions determine. They will be judged not by words but by deeds.

 

Mr. President, we will now sign the agreements on expanding cooperation between the countries, and I am convinced that these agreements, and your friendship, will take bilateral relations to new heights of cooperation. Mr. President, First Lady, welcome to Jerusalem, Our home is also your home.

Thank you."

 

Source: The Prime Minister of Israel Spokesmanship

Photos: Government Press Office