“Israel is at war following a surprise attack by Hamas,” says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has cancelled his visit to Prague scheduled on Monday, October 9.

Following attacks by Hamas on Israel on October 7, the joint meeting planned on Monday, October 9, between Czech leaders and the Israeli government’s delegation led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has been cancelled.
„Intergovernmental talks between the Czech and Israeli governments, initially planned for Monday, Oct. 9 in Prague, will not proceed due to the terrorist attacks against Israel and the subsequent declaration of a state of war in the country,” told the Czech media Václav Smolka, the Czech government spokesman on Saturday morning.
Czechia is a longtime supporter of Israel on every international platform, and it has been no surprise that Czech leadership quickly condemned univocally the attacks on Israel.
„The attack conducted from the Gaza Strip is a reprehensible act of terrorism against the State of Israel and the civilian population,” writes Czech President Petr Pavel. „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.”

1/ Útok vedený z pásma Gazy je odsouzeníhodný teroristický čin vůči Státu Izrael a civilnímu obyvatelstvu. Raketové útoky a pronikání komand Hamasu do Izraele zablokuje jakékoliv snahy o mírové řešení palestinsko-izraelského konfliktu na dlouhou dobu.

— Petr Pavel (@prezidentpavel) October 7, 2023

„This aggressive action will necessarily provoke a harsh and justified reaction from Israel, which will result in many victims. The way to settle any problem does not lead through aggressive armed actions, but must be sought at the negotiation table and with a large amount of good will.”

I condemn the terrorist attacks on Israel. My thoughts are with the innocent victims of the violence and I wish our friends in Israel the swiftest possible handling of the situation and the fulfilment of their ambitions to live in peace and security. The Czech Republic has always…

— Petr Fiala (@P_Fiala) October 7, 2023

Prime Minister Petr Fiala posted early on Saturday morning a clear message of support, reaffirming Czechia’s stance. „I condemn the terrorist attacks on Israel,” Fiala writes. „My thoughts are with the innocent victims of the violence. I wish our friends in Israel the swiftest possible handling of the situation and the fulfillment of their ambitions to live in peace and security. The Czech Republic has always stood and will stand fully with Israel.”
The planned meeting of Monday, October 9, should have been held in order to discuss bilateral cooperation, after what Prime Minister Netanyahu would have met with the speakers of both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate.
„Citizens of Israel. We are at war, not an operation, not an escalation, a war,” Netanyahu announced this morning as Israel’s army retaliated against Hamas military targets with missile strikes in Gaza City.
„This morning Hamas launched a murderous surprise attack against the state of Israel and its citizens. The enemy will pay a price he has never known. In the meantime, I call on all citizens of Israel to strictly obey the instructions of the army and the instructions of the Home Command,” Netanyahu said, adding „We are in a war and we will win it.”