Israel and Honduras deepen defense ties with new memorandum of understanding

In 2021, Honduras became one of the first countries to move its embassy to Jerusalem, joining the US, Guatemala, and Kosovo.

Israel and Honduras entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Honduras in a Sunday signing ceremony, the Defense Ministry announced in a statement.

Defense Minister Israel Katz and his Honduran counterpart, Enrique Rodríguez Burchard signed the deal, which is meant to "deepen defense cooperation" between the countries, the ministry said.

The ceremony was also attended by Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram, the Senior Deputy Head of the Policy and Political-Military Bureau, Israel’s Defense Attaché to Honduras, and other senior officials from both countries.

During the visit, said the statement, the Honduran Minister of Defense, the Minister of Internal Security, and the Chief of the Joint Staff of the Honduran Armed Forces participated in "wide-ranging security discussions" with Baram.

A part of the discussions held included shared strategic and security issues, as well as ways to expand cooperation, the ministry said. Further, the Honduran officials were briefed on "key lessons" learnt from Israel's wars in the past few years. Additionally, the delegation was informed about the IMOD's current activities, "as well as key aspects of Israel's defense and defense-industrial establishment.

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This Memorandum of Understanding is a part of a series of agreements designed by the IMOD over the past year, the statement said, casting these moves as "part of the Ministry’s strategy to expand Israel’s circle of defense partnerships, strengthen strategic ties with friendly nations, and deepen cooperation between Israel’s defense industries and international markets."

The statement described Honduras as an "important partner" in Central America, and one that has supported Israel internationally over the years. In 2017, Honduras was among the nine countries who voted against a UN General Assembly resolution condemning the US' recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

In 2021, Honduras became one of the first countries to move its embassy to Jerusalem, joining the US, Guatemala, and Kosovo.

After withdrawing its ambassador from Israel in the wake of Hamas's October 7 massacre, Honduras appointed a new envoy in early August, who was received by President Isaac Herzog.