PLO’s Erekat hits out at Zeman over call to move embassy to Jerusalem

A Palestinian leader has hit out a suggestion by the Czech president, Miloš Zeman, that the Czech embassy in Israel should be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. In a statement, the Palestinian Liberation Organisation’s Saeb Erekat said the proposal interfered with the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians and wrecked efforts to reach an agreement. Mr. Erekat called for the Arab League and other organisations to convene a special session to discuss the matter. Mr. Zeman put the idea forward at a festival of Israeli culture in the Czech city of Hradec Králové on Monday. No countries have embassies in Jerusalem as the status of the city is a key issue in the conflict. President Zeman, who is known for his support of Israel, begins a state visit to the country on Sunday.