Last night we shoed you part one of our interview with the Deputy Chief of Mission for the Israeli Embassy in Mexico, Alon Lavi. He discussed the protest over the Israeli sponsored community policing course - dismissing it as misconceived.
But, in our quite short interview we also pressed him to speak about the history of Israeli Guatemala relations which have been very cozy for decades - so much so that Israeli supplied arms to Guatemala's military during its genocidal civil war. That's also the period when Guatemala was threatening an invasion of Belize. But this diplomat wanted to leave the past in the past:...
Alon Lavi, Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission - Mexico
"And we keep hearing about the past, whether it was or not, whether it was accurate or not, how you describe it, but we would like to move forward."
Reporter
"You cannot have such a myopic view of history. Without 1948, the past is so important. 1948 is such a seminal date for your nation. We must also have our road markers, in history. And what Israel has done with the Guatemalans over the years has left a lasting impact on the psyche of Belize."
Alon Lavi, Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission - Mexico
"And this is why we are here. To express that we would like to have great bi lateral relations with Belize as well."
Reporter
"Are you disappointed, is your embassy, your state disappointed that Belize voted against the US moving its embassy into Jerusalem - in that UN resolution. I know UN resolutions, you all have taken more than a few on the chin."
Alon Lavi, Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission - Mexico
"Yes."
Reporter
"...More than a few hundred."
Alon Lavi, Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission - Mexico
"Yes, yes. We were disappointed."
Reporter
"How does Israel propose to have an equitable relationship with its very good friend Guatemala who has been unreserved in its support for Israel by moving its Embassy."
Alon Lavi
"There's no difference because we are not to determine your conflict; it's only you Belize together with Guatemala can determine how you want to resolve this conflict, so we are sure this is not an issue."
Reporter
"There must be some quid pro quo, Guatemala has gone to such extraordinary lengths to support the moving of its Embassy to Jerusalem."
Alon Lavi
"We have great relations with Guatemala, but these relations manifest in many different ways."
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