Pictured Above: Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales (left) meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Nov. 29, 2016. Credit: Haim Zach/GPO.

(JNS) Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales on Monday announced that the Central American nation will relocate its Tel Aviv embassy to Jerusalem, following America’s lead.

Morales’s announcement of the policy change came in a Facebook post after a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 

“Dear citizens of Guatemala, I have spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today. We spoke about the excellent relations our countries have enjoyed since we supported Israel's creation,” wrote Morales. “One of the important topics broached were transferring the Guatemalan Embassy to Jerusalem, and I hereby announce I have instructed the embassy’s staff to plan such a move. May God bless you.”

“Thank you Guatemala for your important decision to move your Embassy to Jerusalem!” wrote Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon on Twitter. “Wonderful news and true friendship!!”

The Guatemalan president’s statement came after the U.N. General Assembly last week overwhelmingly approved a resolution denouncing President Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Guatemala was among the nine nations in the 193-member General Assembly that voted against the resolution. 

Last Friday, Morales defended his country’s vote at the U.N., stating, “Guatemala is historically pro-Israeli.” 

Morales, who has enjoyed strong support from conservative Christians in Guatemala, also emphasized Christian support for Israel.

“In 70 years of relations, Israel has been our ally,” Morales said. “We have a Christian way of thinking that, as well as the politics of it. [This] has us believing that Israel is our ally and we must support it.”

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