Kosovo Opened its Embassy in Jerusalem
Kosovo took the bold step of opening its embassy in Jerusalem and announced it officially on March 14th. Kosovo is the first European country to do so and the first Muslim country, and it has provoked mixed responses. While Western countries should celebrate this recognition between two countries of each other’s status as independent nations, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Most media published the press release issued by the Foreign Ministry of Kosovo but said little to nothing about how this advances peace, or adds another Muslim country to the Abrahaam Accords negotiated by the Trump administration, while, not surprisingly, some countries hostile to Israel are already critical of the decision. Peace just doesn’t seem to be the high mark of international interests when it comes to matters affecting Israel.
Here are a few sources to consider: Times of Israel, ABC News, The Guardian, Al Jazeera
Czech Republic Opened Branch of its Embassy in Jerusalem
As reported in the Jewish Telegraph Agency (JTA) on March 12, 2021, the Czech Republic opened a branch of its embassy in Jerusalem, which signals tacit acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. They join Hungary as the second EU member to do so. Needless to say, as reported in Al Jezeera, the PA, Arab League, Turkey and other unfriendly countries disapprove. But why are the Europeans unhappy? The Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said the official embassy remains in Tel Aviv; the development, however, indicates the Eastern European country’s tacit acceptance of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
The Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation expresses sincere and exuberant congratulations to the Republic of Kosovo, the Czech Republic and the State of Israel on these momentus events. May these three countries go from strength to strength.
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