Czech Parliament Recognizes Yerushalayim as Israeli Capital

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu responded warmly on Wednesday to a Czech parliament resolution recognizing the Jewish people’s ancient ties to Yerushalayim.

He lauded the Czech Chamber of Deputies for urging its government to recognize Yerushalayim as Israel’s capital and to stop paying membership dues to UNESCO until the organization stops its anti-Israel bias.

“This is the correct, worthy and courageous decision that others should copy,” he said.

Noting that the Czech resolution came on Tuesday night, the eve of Yerushalayim Day, marking the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the capital, Netanyahu said:

“The Czechs once gave us Czech rifles,” he said, “this was the start of the struggle.” Czech weapons were used by Israelis in the War for Independence in 1948.

In a separate resolution, the deputies condemned the “continuing politicization of the issue of Yerushalayim.” It was approved by an almost unamimous vote, 112 to 2.