Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to put the pressure on Romania and the Czech Republic to move their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. This would require them to ignore the exhortation of both the UN Security Council policy and the European Union.
Part of the reason for Netanyahu's goal of moving embassies to Jerusalem is to take the Holy City off the table as a bargaining chip for those who support the two-state solution. Netanyahu told foreign diplomats amidst the 70th Independence Day celebrations that Israel would help economically and bureaucratically with the move.
<blockquote>“There are two things you can do to help Israel celebrate this great Independence Day,” he said. “The first thing is – speak out against Iran. Iran is the enemy of us all – of Israel, the Arab world, of civilization. … The second thing you can do to advance peace is to move your embassy here,” he said. “I am happy to say there are at least half a dozen countries seriously talking with us about relocating their embassies to Jerusalem. So please, there’s s simple principle, you’re familiar with it – ‘first come, first served.’ I’ve decided that the first 10 embassies to come here will get preferential treatment. We’ll help you. All of you should do that.”</blockquote>
Though some other countries have considered moving their embassies from Tel Aviv, thus far only the United States and Guatemala have made it known that they will definitely undertake the move. The UN Security Council has ruled that embassies should not move until the Israeli-Palestinian peace process has been completed. Netanyahu is announcing however, at least six states considering moving their embassies from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
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