Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they restored Jerusalem even unto the broad wall.(Nehemiah 3:8)

Following a proposal made by Czech President Milos Zeman on Monday to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, chief Palestinian negotiator in the peace talks with Israel, Saeb Erekat, responded with an angry letter of protest, according to i24news. Erekat insisted that such a move would undermine the ongoing peace talks.

Zeman voiced his views on the subject at the opening of the annual Days for Israel forum in Hradec Kralove in East Bohemia last week.

With the Czech Republic headed for early elections later this month, Zeman has announced his hopes to persuade the new prime minister to make the embassy move a reality.

Erekat has asked the Arab League and other Arab organizations to call extraordinary meetings at the ministerial level to support the Palestinian stance.

Last February members of the US Congress have introduced legislation that would transfer the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. “The United States was the first nation to recognize Israel’s sovereignty, a mere 11 minutes after the new state was formed in 1948. Today, 65 years later, Israel remains a uniquely precious ally. Just as the United States has assisted the Jewish people in restoring their ancient state, it is only fitting that we lead the way in recognizing Jerusalem for what it is: the undivided, eternal capital of Israel,” said then Republican Congressman Tent Franks.

Czechoslovakia was also among the nations that recognized Israel in 1948, and established diplomatic relations with Israel. After the dissolution of Czechoslovakia into two states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, in 1992 each established diplomatic relations with Israel.