Israel–Paraguay relations
Israel–Paraguay relations refers to the current and historical relationship between Israel and Paraguay. Both countries have full diplomatic relations since the middle of the 20th century, and each has been represented by a full embassy in the other, until 2018. History. In 1947, Paraguay was one of the thirty-three countries to vote for the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, effectively paving way for the creation of Israel. The two countries opened up diplomatic relations in 1949. Israel's embassy in Asunción was closed in 2002 due to budget cuts, although legal professionals in Israel  alleged that it was on religious grounds. It was reopened in July 2015. In 2005, the Paraguayan embassy in Mevaseret Zion was closed, also due to budgetary constraints, and reopened in 2013 in the Tel Aviv District city of Herzliya. On May 21, 2018, Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes announced that the Paraguayan embassy moved to Jerusalem, becoming the third country in the world, after the United States and Guatemala, to recognize the city as the diplomatic capital of Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greatly appreciated it; on the very day of the transfer, he attended the opening ceremony and  there expressed an enduring friendship. This was reversed in September 2018 by Cartes' successor, Mario Abdo Benítez. Foreign Minister Luis Castiglioni stated that "Paraguay wants to contribute to an intensification of regional diplomatic efforts to achieve a broad, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East." Israel subsequently shut down its embassy and cancelled a delegation aimed at aiding Paraguay's economic development. Foreign aid. In January 2016, Israel sent aid to assist Paraguay in coping with the heavy flooding that had taken place there and had displaced about 100,000 people. In June 2016, Netafim sent advanced drip irrigation systems  to help Paraguay with a drought through Israel's embassy in Asunción. Trade relations. Israel's exports to Paraguay totaled US$6.69 million in 2014, focusing on electronics and minerals. Paraguay's exports to Israel in the same year totaled US$145 million, made up almost exclusively of frozen meat and soybeans. In 2005, when Israel's exports to Paraguay totaled US$2.5 million, the two countries signed a mutual export agreement, which stipulated that each country would help increase mutual trade. In 2010, Israel and Paraguay also agreed to cooperate on agriculture and signed as customs agreement. In 2015  it was reported that the Paraguayan Army purchased a number of Negev light machine guns from Israel Weapon Industries.