Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa’ar today (Monday, 24 November 2025) held a press conference in Asunción with the Foreign Minister of Paraguay Rubén Ramírez.
On Lebanon:
“The world is a better place today without Ali Tabatabai. The Chief of Staff of Hezbollah‘s terror army was a mass-murderer with American and Israeli blood on his hands. The United States had a five-million-dollar bounty on his head.
Tabatabai led terror attacks against Israel. Recently, he directed the efforts to rebuild Hezbollah’s terror army. Our operation yesterday and IDF operations against Hezbollah in general are not a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty. The very existence of Hezbollah as the strongest armed force in Lebanon – is the violation of Lebanese sovereignty. As long as Hezbollah is not disarmed – Lebanon will remain de-facto under Iranian occupation.
Over the past year – since the ceasefire – Hezbollah has been working to rearm – after the heavy blows it suffered from Israel in 2024. As long as Hezbollah is the strongest military force in Lebanon – Israel has no security, and Lebanon has no future. We wish to see the Lebanese government implement its decision and dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal. But the truth is that this is happening in a very minor way. In fact, Hezbollah is rearming more than it is disarming.”
Full Remarks:
“I want to thank Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, for the warm welcome here in Asunción.
Gracias, mi amigo.
Paraguay is one of Israel’s greatest friends.
And you, Dear Minister, are a true friend of Israel.
Our relationship is not based only on interests, but also on shared values.
Paraguay’s foreign policy has a clear moral dimension:
You voted for the establishment of the State of Israel at the United Nations in 1947.
You were among the very first countries to recognize Israel.
The Jewish people are a nation that writes, remembers, and never forgets.
We’re grateful for former President Cartes’ decision in 2018 to move Paraguay’s embassy to Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people.
We commend President Peña for his great decision to move your embassy to Jerusalem last December, and we appreciate his consistent support for Israel.
Jerusalem is the city toward which our ancestors prayed every day for 2,000 years in exile.
It is our eternal capital.
We are deeply grateful to President Peña, to you, dear Minister, and to Paraguay – for this historic move.
Minister,
Paraguay is a country that knows how to distinguish between good and evil.
This was demonstrated in April – when Paraguay widened its terror organization designation to include the “political” wings of Hamas, and Hezbollah.
It also designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
I commend this important step and call on other countries to follow suit.
Paraguay’s moral stance has also been demonstrated in its many, many declarations of support for Israel since October 7th. 65 in total!
We are grateful for the government of Paraguay’s consistent, strong, moral support.
We truly appreciate it!
*
The people of Paraguay are courageous.
Your economy is strong and growing. We believe in it.
It’s no surprise that Paraguay’s projected economic growth for 2025 stands at 5.3%.
In 2023, bilateral trade between israel and Paraguay stood at 133 million dollars.
In 2024, it grew to over 212 million.
2025 is not yet over. It has already surpassed last year’s numbers.
Israelis love Paraguayan meat. A huge majority of the export to Israel from Paraguay is meat.
My visit today is an expression of our belief in Paraguay’s bright future.
I arrived today with a business delegation of senior government officials, representatives of companies, and heads of major economic organizations.
We already trade in technological and agricultural equipment.
We want to deepen our cooperation – in water technologies, advanced agriculture, cyber, renewable energy and more.
Israeli companies are expressing interest in Paraguay’s market.
Our goal is to bring these companies and expand mutual investments.
I want to thank the Honorable Minister of Defense for signing the important MOU on security cooperation.
This is a clear expression of our strategic ties and mutual commitment.
Paraguay is developing major defense capabilities.
Israel’s defense industry has experience and capabilities that we want to share with you.
*
The world is a better place today without Ali Tabatabai.
The Chief of Staff of Hezbollah’s terror army was a mass-murderer with American and Israeli blood on his hands.
The United States had a five-million-dollar bounty on his head.
Tabatabai led terror attacks against Israel.
Recently, he directed the efforts to rebuild Hezbollah’s terror army.
Our operation yesterday and IDF operations against Hezbollah in general are not a violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.
The very existence of Hezbollah as the strongest armed force in Lebanon – is the violation of Lebanese sovereignty.
As long as Hezbollah is not disarmed – Lebanon will remain de-facto under Iranian occupation.
Over the past year – since the ceasefire – Hezbollah has been working to rearm – after the heavy blows it suffered from Israel in 2024.
As long as Hezbollah is the strongest military force in Lebanon – Israel has no security, and Lebanon has no future.
We wish to see the Lebanese government implement its decision and dismantle Hezbollah’s arsenal.
But the truth is that this is happening in a very minor way.
In fact, Hezbollah is rearming more than it is disarming.
*
Dear Minister, Mi Amigo,
Almost a year ago, you came to Israel with President Peña on a historic visit to open Paraguay’s embassy in Jerusalem.
Today, I am repaying the visit.
I hope to host you again soon, in Jerusalem.
This is a long-term strategic partnership.
Together, Minister, we’ll continue strengthening this partnership.
Muchas Gracias!”
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