Barkat jubilant after Czechs keep Jerusalem as capital in atlas, for now

A Czech statement that textbooks will not be altered immediately to show Tel Aviv as the capital of Israel is being celebrated by Jerusalem’s mayor as a victory.

“Truth has indeed overcome lies: The Czech government has reversed its decision and Czech textbooks will correctly teach that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,” Barkat crows in a statement to the press.

Barkat’s reaction comes after Czech Education Minister Katerina Valachova said the ministry would not interfere with school atlases certified through 2017 that show Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, following reports that the ministry was seeking the books be changed, according to the Prague Daily Monitor.

“Jerusalem is Israel’s capital from the viewpoint of the declaration of the country to which this relates, which means Israel,” Valachova told Czech radio, according to the report.

It’s not clear if the books will keep Jerusalem as the capital beyond 2017. According to the report, the publisher is considering printing both as the capital with an explanation on the dispute.

Barkat credits a letter he sent Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka and other diplomatic efforts for the apparent reversal.

“I’m thankful to the Czech government for making the right choice and for refusing to surrender to Palestinian incitement and lies,” he says. “Future generations of Czech students will continue to learn the truth: Jerusalem is Israel’s capital and the heart and soul of the Jewish people.”