Despite Czechia’s cautious approach to accepting Middle Eastern refugees, pressure is mounting to assist civilians. Over 1 million civilians have already been displaced by the the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, sparking debates around European immigration policy.
The EU plans to triple aid to Gaza to €75m, but the Czech government has not committed to independent assistance since halting support six years ago. Czech member of the European Parliament (MEP) Mikuláš Peksa warned that the EU’s failure to help refugees could trigger a new migration crisis spilling into Europe and that the EU needs stricter return policies for rejected asylum seekers. EU officials in Brussels also called for improved screening of migrants and quicker expulsions of people who pose security risks.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala said EU funds to Palestine must undergo serious revision despite the humanitarian emergency while, on the other hand, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavský, promised full Czech support to Israel.
Although neither the EU nor Czechia has launched a campaign to encourage Palestinians or Israelis to seek refuge in Europe, the Czech’s government’s approach will set a significant precedent on the status of Middle Eastern refugees in Europe.
CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE NEWS
Czechia Re-Examines Immigration Policy Amid Middle East Crisis
Follow us
