Jorge Garcia Granados
Encyclopedia
Dr. Jorge García-Granados (1900–1961) was a diplomat from Guatemala
educated at the Sorbonne
in Paris
. A direct descendant of Miguel García Granados
, the leader and philosopher of the liberal revolution in the 19th century, Granados was the ambassador of his country to the United Nations and a member of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine
(UNSCOP). Granados cast the very first vote for the creation of the state of Israel
and Guatemala became the first country to recognize Israel after the votes were tallied.
At the time of the vote on the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine Granados organized a lobby of South American countries to support the partition plan. In 1956, Guatemala became the first country to open an embassy in Jerusalem, with Granados appointed as the first ambassador. The Israeli cities of Jerusalem and Ramat-Gan named streets to honor Granados.
Granados wrote about his experience serving on the UNSCOP in his book, The Birth of Israel: The Drama as I Saw It. In the book, Granados describes his youth, his time in political exile from Guatemala during the reign of military dictatorships, the achievements of the Zionist movement during the British mandate on Palestine, and the events surrounding the creation of Israel.
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
educated at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. A direct descendant of Miguel García Granados
Miguel García Granados
Miguel García-Granados Zavala was President of Guatemala from 29 June 1871 to 4 June 1873. He was an influential figure in the broad sweep of 19th century Guatemalan history....
, the leader and philosopher of the liberal revolution in the 19th century, Granados was the ambassador of his country to the United Nations and a member of the United Nations Special Committee on Palestine
United Nations Special Committee on Palestine
The United Nations Special Committee on Palestine was formed in May 1947 in response to a United Kingdom government request that the General Assembly "make recommendations under article 10 of the Charter, concerning the future government of Palestine"...
(UNSCOP). Granados cast the very first vote for the creation of the state of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
and Guatemala became the first country to recognize Israel after the votes were tallied.
At the time of the vote on the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine Granados organized a lobby of South American countries to support the partition plan. In 1956, Guatemala became the first country to open an embassy in Jerusalem, with Granados appointed as the first ambassador. The Israeli cities of Jerusalem and Ramat-Gan named streets to honor Granados.
Granados wrote about his experience serving on the UNSCOP in his book, The Birth of Israel: The Drama as I Saw It. In the book, Granados describes his youth, his time in political exile from Guatemala during the reign of military dictatorships, the achievements of the Zionist movement during the British mandate on Palestine, and the events surrounding the creation of Israel.