Czech President Milos Zeman reiterated Wednesday his pledge to move his country's embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and vowed to take concrete measures in the coming weeks and months to make this a reality.
Zeman, who was hosting an event to celebrate Israel's 70th anniversary at Prague Castle, spelled out the process of moving the embassy, saying it will take place in three steps: An honorary consulate will be opened in Jerusalem next month followed by other Czech institutions before the embassy's actual transfer.
Zeman said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told him that he would let the central European nation use a home he owns in Jerusalem if the Czech Republic lacks the financial resources to complete the embassy move.
"He told me, if you do so [move the embassy], I will give you my own house. Fine, the Czech Republic is not such a rich country in order not to refuse such a nice proposal. Anyway, I hope Bibi [Netanyahu] will fulfill his promise after four years because it was just four years ago when I proposed to move the Czech Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem," Zeman said.
Although some said his recent push on the matter was sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to move the U.S. Embassy to Israel's capital, he said his decision was entirely his. "The USA copied my proposal," he quipped.
In his speech, Zeman lashed out at other countries, including in Europe, that want to derail the embassy move and are applying pressure on Prague. "They call themselves the moderates. I call them the cowards. It is not too polite, I admit, but I think it is fair," he said.
Zeman ended with the famous phrase in Passover Haggadah, "Next year in Jerusalem."
The Czech Foreign Ministry did not immediately confirm the embassy's move, though it did say that the opening of the consulate and the Czech cultural center in west Jerusalem is the first step toward having its embassy in the capital of the host country. But it also said the Czech Republic "fully respects" the common position of the European Union that Jerusalem must be the joint capital of Israel and a future Palestinian state.
In a letter to Zeman, Netanyahu said he hoped he would jointly open the new embassy in Jerusalem at the end of this year.
"I thank my good friend, Czech President Milos Zeman, for the important declaration that the Czech Embassy will move to Jerusalem. I hope that the decision will be implemented quickly. I look forward to welcoming him in Israel with the great respect that he deserves," he wrote.
Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, who represented Israel at the event, praised Zeman, saying, "You are a real hero in the eyes of every Jew."
Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also praised Zeman, saying, "I welcome his decision to relocate the embassy to Jerusalem. The leadership put on display by U.S. President Donald Trump has heralded a shift in the attitude of the international community regarding Jerusalem."
