Czech foreign minister calls to move embassy to Jerusalem

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka says the time has come for his country to relocate its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, visits Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum during Holocaust Remembrance Day.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar (New Hope) hosted his Czech counterpart in Jerusalem on Tuesday, as Israel marked Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Czech Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Petr Macinka visited the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial Museum alongside Sa’ar, who a day earlier cited the abandonment of Czechoslovakia in 1938 during a Holocaust Remembrance Day ceremony in the capital.

The two foreign ministers addressed reporters during a joint press conference, during which Macinka was asked whether the Czech Republic is planning to relocate its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Macinka noted his past declarations in support of relocating the embassy and said that he plans to push for the move.

“I spoke about the issue of moving the Czech embassy to Jerusalem even before I was appointed foreign minister, during the Hanukkah holiday in Prague. I said that we saw the discussion about moving the embassy begin, and then nothing happened. I personally would like to advance this, and I would like to open it myself as foreign minister.”

“That is why I wanted to renew this discussion. And of course, there are two levels of thinking here. One is the symbolic level, which is important for Israel. But there is also a practical level, since the government ministries and the foreign ministry are in Jerusalem, the Knesset is in Jerusalem, and the Office of the President is in Jerusalem, yet our embassy is in another city. So, from a practical point of view as well, this is a relevant discussion.”

However, Macinka added that he is not personally empowered to green-light the move, while predicting that the government would likely not oppose his plan.

“I opened this discussion the day before I was appointed foreign minister, and I think I will continue to hold this discussion and try to move it forward. The decision is not mine personally. I think the Czech Republic is traditionally very close to Israel and very friendly toward it. Therefore, I do not expect a negative debate on this issue.”

Upon taking office last December, Macinka declared his support for relocating the Czech embassy, fueling speculation of an impending move.

“I personally am very much looking forward… to be present when one of the symbols of solidarity becomes the fact that the Czech Republic finally moves its embassy to Jerusalem,” Macinka said at a Chanukah event in Prague. “It should have been there a long time ago.”