Czech prime minister opens embassy office in Jerusalem
The Czech Republic opened a diplomatic office in Jerusalem on Thursday, affiliated to its embassy in Tel Aviv, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis and Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.
“We keep our promise,” said Babis.
“The Czech Republic will have a full-fledged diplomatic mission here in Jerusalem. It will deal with a lot — ranging from politics, economic cooperation, consular agenda, and other topics. It will have a permanent staff and work under the lead of our embassy in Tel Aviv.”
Držíme slovo, které dal v Izraeli před dvěma roky prezident Zeman. Slavnostně jsme s ministry @Gabi_Ashkenazi a Amirem Ochanou otevřeli v Jeruzalémě pobočku českého velvyslanectví. Je to pro mě ohromná čest a hlavně další významný krok v přátelských vztazích našich dvou zemí 🇨🇿🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/gX6lY9WfQD
— Andrej Babiš (@AndrejBabis) March 11, 2021
“I am happy to see that the changes in the Middle East are based on a recognition of the reality and historical truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. The Czech Republic is a close friend of Israel, and we work together in many different fields,” said Ashkenazi.
Ashkenazi also thanked the Czech PM for Czech support for ‘Israel’ and for their adoption of the IHRA definition of antisemitism.
1/3
We just finished the ceremony to inaugurate the office of the #Czech Embassy in #Jerusalem.Together with Czech Prime Minister @AndrejBabis, we cut the ribbon and officially announced the start of the office’s activities. pic.twitter.com/n3BGyFIPuq
— גבי אשכנזי – Gabi Ashkenazi (@Gabi_Ashkenazi) March 11, 2021
The Czech foreign ministry announced its plans to open the mission in December.
The Czech Republic is the second European Union member state, after Hungary, to open a diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to take part in the opening, but he was absent due to his wife’s illness, according to Israeli media.
Palestinian officails oppose the step and have called on the Czech Republic to reverse the decision.
European Union member states had refused to move their embassies to Jerusalem pending a final agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians on the issue of the holy city.
