Naturally, the fact that a tiny country supports Israel amid a sea of anti-semitism is too much for Palestinian Arab leaders to bear.“I will always support Israel, guardian of the world’s capital, Jerusalem,” Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli told President Shimon Peres during a welcoming ceremony on Tuesday at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.
In his opening remarks, President Martinelli said he “preferred to speak from the heart. As a citizen of Panama I say with great honor and joy: I will always support Israel, guardian of the world’s capital, Jerusalem.” He added that “Panama is a country of immigrants, which includes our thriving and active Jewish community. I am proud that three of the ministers in my government are Jewish, and that there are several Jews in other important positions in our government.”
Fatah Central Committee Member Nabil Sha'ath sharply condemned on Saturday President of Panama Ricardo Martinelli's remarks in which he referred to Israel as the "guardian" of the holy city of Jerusalem.To people like Sha'ath, being the "guardian" of Jerusalem means to guard against any Jews visiting or living there.
"Martinelli’s comments did not only insult the Palestinian people, the Arab, Islamic, and Christian world, but also insulted international law," Sha’ath said in a statement.