Following the Hamas attack on Israel, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala says moving his country’s embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is now a “desirable step”. This would break with previous policy of following the EU line – and Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský says key criteria have not been met. I discussed the matter with Czech Television’s former Middle East correspondent Jakub Szántó.
Almost all countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv. What is the significance of the idea of moving the Czech Embassy to Jerusalem?
“Well, it certainly would be a huge show of support for Israel, especially in these very, very troubled and tragic times, and I think it would be very much appreciated by the government in Jerusalem.
“However, the problem with moving, en masse, European or other embassies at the same time from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem would be a problem for the Jerusalem municipality, because, simply put, there is no diplomatic quarter, unlike in Tel Aviv.
“Already the moving of the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem was a little bit of a headache, logistics-wise but also security-wise.
“If that happened, it would be hard to find enough buildings that would be good enough for embassies, the Czech Embassy included.
“That is why the Czech Embassy in Tel Aviv is renting an office in a commercial space, right in front of the world famous King David Hotel [in Jerusalem].
“And that is sort of to show support, without moving the entire venue, because even the Czech Republic’s embassy in Tel Aviv is pretty big.”
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Author: Ian Willoughby