Czech Republic to open Jerusalem ‘honorary consulate’ as ‘first step’ of embassy move

While stopping short of announcing an imminent embassy move to Jerusalem, the Czech Republic announced a multi-stage plan culminating in the opening of its embassy in Israel’s capital.

By: World Israel News Staff

At an event in Prague on Wednesday, Czech Republic President Miloš Zeman announced, “There will be, I hope three phrases of removal of the Czech embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.”

According to the Czech Foreign Ministry, “The Czech Republic has decided, as a first step, to open an honorary consulate (led by Honorary Consul Mr. Dan Propper) in May and a new Czech Centre by the end of this year,” both in Jerusalem.

Zeman announced on Wednesday at a Prague Castle event attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, “A few years ago, I said that our embassy should be transferred to Jerusalem,” reported the Jerusalem Post. “The time has come,” concluded Zeman.

An official statement posted on the Czech Foreign Ministry’s website declared, “Last year, the Czech Republic…expressed its position on Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel, in its 1967 borders. It thus only acknowledg[ing] what is standard practice by other States when making their official visits to Israel. According to usual diplomatic practice, States have their embassies in the capitals of the receiving States.”

The Czech announcement arrived in the run up to the US’ grand opening of its embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, with Guatemala preparing to open its embassy one day later.

Zeman remains a staunch supporter of the Jewish state and first floated the Czech embassy relocation during the Obama administration.