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Czech Republic Will Not Relocate its Embassy to Jerusalem

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. (Reuters)
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. (Reuters)
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Czech Republic Will Not Relocate its Embassy to Jerusalem

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. (Reuters)
Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis. (Reuters)

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis said that his country will not relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, saying that his government respects the European Union stance and United Nations resolutions on this issue.

No country in Europe wants to move its embassy at the moment and the Czech Republic will not be the initiator, he continued.

The PM affirmed that Israel is a longstanding ally to the Czech Republic, but it is also an EU member and UN agreements in this regard should be respected.

Last year, Czech President Milos Zeman inaugurated the Czech House in Jerusalem in what was interpreted as a precursor to the relocation of its embassy.

The United States had moved its embassy to Jerusalem in May 2018 despite widespread condemnation by Palestinians, Arabs and the international community.

Guatemala then followed. Honduras and Romania had revealed that they were considering such a move.

The Fatah movement welcomed Prague’s refusal to relocate its embassy in spite of American and Israeli pressure.

Fatah spokesman Jamal Nazzal said that countries’ ability to withstand such pressure and commit to international law reinforces the Palestinian leadership’s insistence on its rights.

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Türkiye Intensifies Steps to Establish Air Base East of Homs

Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 
Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 
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Türkiye Intensifies Steps to Establish Air Base East of Homs

Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 
Turkish-made Hisar air defense system (Turkish Defense Industries website). 

Türkiye is accelerating preparations to establish an airbase in the city of Palmyra, east of Homs, following an announcement by its Ministry of Defense last week that it is considering a request from the Syrian administration in Damascus to set up a base for training purposes.

Reports indicate that Turkish military convoys carrying equipment entered northern Syria overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, likely transporting logistical supplies and gear to the “T4” airbase in Palmyra.

The pro-government Turkish newspaper “Türkiye” reported on Wednesday that the country has taken official steps to take control of the Tiyas Military Airbase—also known as Tiyas Airport, T4 Airbase —located near the village of Tiyas, about 60 kilometers east of Palmyra in Homs province.

According to the report, Türkiye plans to establish a multi-layered air defense system at the base, incorporating domestically produced weapons. Additionally, Ankara intends to deploy reconnaissance drones and armed UAVs with advanced strike capabilities. The goal is to enhance the country’s counterterrorism efforts against ISIS while also deterring potential Israeli airstrikes in the region.

Some sources suggest that Türkiye may also consider deploying the Russian S-400 air defense system, which it acquired in the summer of 2019.

Retired Turkish Brigadier General Fahri Erenel stated that Ankara plans to take significant steps in Syria in April. He mentioned that after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime, a defense agreement was negotiated with the Syrian interim government. Under this agreement, Türkiye would provide air support and military protection to the new Syrian administration.

Israeli Concerns

Israel is deeply concerned about Türkiye’s growing cooperation with Damascus and its efforts to expand its military presence in Syria.

An Israeli security official, speaking to The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, described the potential establishment of a Turkish military base in Syria as a “possible threat” to Israel. The official, whose name was not disclosed, warned that a Turkish airbase in Syria would undermine Israel’s operational freedom and was therefore something Tel Aviv opposed.

On Friday, the Israeli military announced that it had targeted what it described as “strategic military capabilities” at Syrian army bases in Palmyra and the T4 airbase. The Israeli official indicated that the strike on T4 was a message that Israel would not tolerate any obstacles to its air operations in Syria.