Czech-Israeli relations in historical context
Israel's recently appointed foreign minister, Gideon Saar, will visit Czechia on Thursday during his first official foreign trip. The Czech Republic supports the Jewish state in its fight against Hamas and Hezbollah with fewer reservations than other EU countries.
Czech society has had a strong Jewish presence since the Middle Ages. The tradition of peaceful and friendly coexistence between the Christian majority and Jewish minority has formed a solid basis for Czech-Jewish friendship. Irena Kalhousová, Director of the Herzel Center of Jewish Studies at Charles University, explains:
“There were significant moments and personalities in Czech-Jewish coexistence that we must acknowledge. For instance, Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, who became the first Czechoslovak president in 1918, was a prominent advocate against anti-Semitism in the Czech lands.”
I recently traveled around the Vysočina region, where I come from, and discovered an old Jewish cemetery near Hlinsko. I also came across another Jewish cemetery near the village of Habry, situated between Čáslav and what is now Havlíčkův Brod, previously known as Německý Brod. I think it highlights how widespread Jewish communities were in the Czech lands during the 19th century and up until World War II. Unlike the Russian Empire's Pale of Settlement, which confined Jews to specific areas, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, including the Czech lands, allowed Jewish communities to spread more evenly across the country. Would you say that’s accurate?
“Yes, that’s absolutely true, and you’ve raised an important point. Jews in the Czech lands were not confined to specific areas. They lived not only in major cities like Prague, which had the largest Jewish population, but also in smaller towns and villages. What makes the Czech case truly unique is the presence of Jewish families in rural areas. In many villages, you could find just two or three Jewish families, and this rural presence played a crucial role in shaping the Jewish identity in the region.”
So, how did this rural presence influence Jewish identity in the Czech lands?
“It significantly contributed to the gradual integration of Jews into Czech society. Over time, many Jews began to split their identities between the dominant German culture and the emerging Czech culture. Later, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many Jews chose to embrace Czech culture. They became fluent in Czech, aligned themselves with Czech nationalism, and identified strongly with the Czech nation.”
Back to the 21st Century
When Israel came under attack in October 2023, European support for its government and its military response seemed unanimous. However, with mounting civilian casualties due to ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and later in Lebanon, European support has become less unconditional. Not so in Czechia, says Jan Zoupelna from the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Czech Academy of Sciences:
“A number of European countries have started to hesitate in their support for Israel's positions, particularly for its government, which has a tarnished reputation both internationally and domestically. While they may not be entirely reconsidering their stance, they are gradually cooling their support. In contrast, Czech support essentially remains constant, regardless of what is happening or not happening in Gaza.”
There is no doubt that this steadfast stance of Czech diplomacy has deep historical roots, as emphasized by Irena Kalhousová.
