Czech deputy FM slams UN for ignoring Hamas’ goal of destroying Israel

The Czech Republic was one of 14 countries to vote against the UN resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamás, as the resolution did not reflect what he believes is Hamás’ goal of destroying Israel, Czech Deputy Foreign Minister Jiří Kozák told Euractiv.cz.

The resolution, proposed by Jordan and other Arab countries, saw several EU countries abstain, while only four – the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Croatia – voted against it.

“The UN General Assembly, in its deliberations, completely ignored the brutal rampage of Hamas or the fact that there are still two hundred people, including children, kidnapped in Gaza, and focused only on what is happening in Gaza. From my point of view, it was very disrespectful to the people tortured or kidnapped by Hamás,” Kozák explained to Euractiv.cz.

Kozák claimed that Hamás uses Palestinians as human shields or hospitals and schools for its ammunition depots or military headquarters. “The aim of Hamás is the destruction of Israel, not the prosperity of Palestine,” Kozák added.

“The General Assembly has reflected none of this. The General Assembly has focused on a ceasefire with a terrorist organisation. But the matter is different. Israel will not have peace, the Palestinians will not have prosperity, as long as Hamas terrorists continue to affect their lives,” Kozák reasoned.

Following the UN vote on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová (ODS, ECR) even proposed withdrawal from the organisation on Saturday.

The Czech Republic has “no place in an organisation that cheers for terrorists and does not respect the basic right to self-defence”, she wrote on X, on which she also called for withdrawal.

The following day, Černochová added that without the necessary reform, the organisation lost its role as a peacekeeper. The defence minister’s statement was later watered down by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala (ODS, ECR), who said that Czechia remains in the UN to promote its positions.

The Czech Republic has historically had excellent relations with Israel and was a supporter of the idea of an independent Jewish state in the last century.

“Many Czechs of Jewish origin suffered and died during the violence of the Nazi terror during World War II. Shortly after the end of the war, Czechoslovakia became one of the supporters of an independent state of Israel,” Deputy FM Kozák explained.

“In 1948, we were among the first to recognise Israel as a new state. We also helped the young state with weapons and military equipment supplies,” Kozák added.

“We are linked not only by our desire for democracy and freedom but also by rich economic, cultural, scientific and social exchanges,” Kozák said, adding that Czechia sees Israel as an important factor for stability in the region.

There was no mention of the blockade of Gaza by Israel including the cutting of internet, aid, and electricity, impacting some 2 million civilians while Israel conducts an offensive.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)