Czechia supports Israel’s right to self-defence, call to cut EU funding for Palestine

Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas attacks, according to various Czech politicians, with some calling for an end to EU funding for Palestine.

“The rocket attacks and the infiltration of Hamas commandos into Israel will block any efforts for a peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict for a long time. This aggressive action will inevitably provoke a harsh and justified reaction from Israel, which will bring many casualties,” Czech President Petr Pavel commented on the situation, adding that the way to settle the problem is through the negotiating table with “a great deal of goodwill.”

Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský (Pirates) spoke with his Israeli counterpart over the weekend, where he “told him that the Czech Republic fully stands behind Israel and its right to self-defence. We also reiterated this position within the European Union,” Lipavský said.

MEP Jan Zahradil, a member of the ruling ODS (ECR) party, called for a reduction in European support for the Palestinians. “Our group (ECR) will push for this in the European Parliament. This concept needs to be thoroughly examined and reconsidered. It is completely unacceptable to spread hatred towards Israel with European money,” he said on the social network X.

EU funding for Palestine is provided in different capacities and “it foresees to provide up to €1.177 billion in financial support from 2021 to 2024”, an EU official told Euractiv.

MEP Mikuláš Peksa (Pirates, Greens), on the other hand, argued that EU aid is not directed at terrorists. “The European Union sends economic aid to the Palestinian Authority, which controls the West Bank. The Gaza Strip, as is well known, is under the control of Hamas, which thus occupies part of the Palestine territory. We are literally supporting the moderate part of the Palestinians in order to lift it up economically and not to radicalise it like the part that is currently attacking Israel,” said Peksa, who shares a political party with Lipavský.

The Czech Republic is a long-standing partner of Israel, which has very good relations with the Jewish state. A joint meeting between the Czech and Israeli governments was due to take place in Prague on Monday but was cancelled due to the current situation.

(Aneta Zachová | Euractiv.cz)