FM Macinka:Czech-Israeli friendship will strengthen under current Czech government
Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka on Tuesday met in Prague with his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa’ar. The talks focused on the situation in the Middle East, bilateral ties and the need to address growing antisemitism in the world today.
While outside Černín Palace a group of pro-Palestinian protesters chanted anti-Israeli slogans, the atmosphere within the building was cordial as the two ministers underlined the close friendship that binds the two nations.
Minister Macinka recalled that Gideon Sa’ar was the first foreign minister he contacted by phone after taking office in December. “I think that says a lot. Our longstanding friendship with Israel will continue and cooperation will strengthen under the current Czech government. We share many common views and have much to work on,” he said.
Minister Sa’ar also highlighted the special bond between the two countries that goes back to the establishment of the Israeli state. “The Czech Republic is one of our closest friends and allies in Europe and globally, particularly after October 7,” he said, recalling the 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas in southern Israel.
Minister Sa’ar welcomed the fact that the policy statement of the new Czech government describes the continuity of close Czech-Israeli cooperation as important.
Under the current Czech government, Minister Sa’ar said, bilateral relations could move to a new level. “We want to strengthen our partnership across a wide range of areas, including security and healthcare,” he said.
Commenting on the situation in Gaza, which this week saw the launch of the second phase of President Trump’s peace plan, Minister Sa’ar said that Israel is firmly committed to the peace drive. For the peace plan to be implemented, Hamas must be disarmed in and outside of Gaza, the Israeli foreign minister said, stressing that this is a vital part of the peace effort.
He urged the European Union to respond to the calls of the Iranian people and designate Iran’s Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization. While speculation about such a move has grown, sufficient support has not yet been found within the EU.
Responding to a question about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Minister Macinka said that the Czech Republic has actively contributed to easing the plight of civilians and providing humanitarian aid, but emphasized that the most important contribution to improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza was the ceasefire. For it to continue and for the situation to improve further, Hamas must be disarmed and Gaza demilitarized, he said.
The two officials said they had also touched upon the danger of growing antisemitism in Europe and beyond, and the need to combat the trend. In this connection, Minister Sa’ar thanked his Czech counterpart for extending the mandate of the Foreign Ministry’s special envoy for Holocaust issues, interfaith dialogue and freedom of religion, Robert Řehák, who will now also be responsible for combating antisemitism in the country.
The visit by the Israeli foreign minister took place several weeks after the new Czech government announced it would be moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem in 2026.
