PA slams Czech Republic’s decision to open diplomatic office in Jerusalem
The Czech Republic is the second EU member-state, after Hungary, to open an official diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEHThe flag of the Czech Republic is seen waving.(photo credit: PIXABAY)
The Palestinian Authority on Thursday summoned the Czech Republic’s top representative in Ramallah, Petr Stary, to inquire about his country’s decision to open a diplomatic office in Jerusalem and condemned it as a “dangerous step.”The announcement on Wednesday of the decision to open a new Jerusalem branch office of the Czech Embassy in Tel Aviv followed a phone conversation between Czech Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek and his Israeli counterpart, Gabi Ashkenazi.The office will be established in the first half of next year and will be staffed by a diplomat, a statement by the Czech Foreign Ministry in Prague said.“This is an important step that is indicative of the friendship between the two people and the recognition of Jerusalem as the eternal capital of the State of Israel and the Jewish people,” Ashkenazi said.The Czech Republic is the second EU member state, after Hungary, to open an official diplomatic mission in Jerusalem.“Based on the instructions of [PA] President Mahmoud Abbas and the directives of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Riyad al-Maliki, Undersecretary of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Amal Jadou summoned the Czech ambassador accredited to the State of Palestine to inquire about the announcement of his country’s foreign ministry on the opening of a diplomatic office in Jerusalem that is affiliated with its embassy in Tel Aviv,” the PA said in a statement.“Jaduo expressed the State of Palestine’s condemnation of this decision and said that such a move constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and goes against the unified EU position on the legal status of Jerusalem,” it added. “In addition, the decision is an act of aggression against the rights of the Palestinian people and their sovereignty over their land.”Jadou called on the Czech Republic to reverse “this dangerous step because of its repercussions on stability in the region and the political efforts to achieve peace in the Middle East.”
