Palestinian Authority, Arab League condemn opening Czech office in Jerusalem

The Palestinian Authority and the Arab League on Saturday have condemned the Czech Republic's decision to open the diplomatic office in Jerusalem, saying such an act violates international law.

The official Prague in Jerusalem opened its embassy branch in Israel on Thursday. Chekhia has her embassy located at Tel Aviv.

The inauguration of this office attended by Czech Prime Minister Andrey Babes came just two weeks after Israel sent several thousand doses of the vaccine against the Coronavirus to Czech Republic.

The Palestinian authority said it considers this decision of official Prague as a <x0-strong open offensive against the Palestinian people and their rights, a flagrant violation of international law”, adding that it would harm peace prospects, Reuters broadcast.

Arab League Secretary Ahmed Abdol Gheit said through a statement that Jerusalem's <x0-status legal status will be influenced by a state decision, or any other state, to open representative offices. According to international law, East Jerusalem is the occupied ground”, he said.

Israel says that Jerusalem is its capital, a decision that has not been accepted internationally.

In the 1967 war, Israel occupied parts of the West Coast and the Gaza Belt. Palestinians say East Jerusalem will be the capital of their future state.

Peace talks on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict failed in 2014.

Although the Czech Republic supports two-state resolution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In 2017, the United States, under President Donald Trump, recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and the American Embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The US action prompted numerous international reactions, as most world powers do not recognise Israel's sovereignty over all Jerusalem and say its final status should be decided through peace negotiations in the Middle East.