While a growing number of countries—including Australia, Britain, and Canada—formally recognized the State of Palestine this past weekend, the Czech Republic has made clear it is not planning to follow suit.

Czech diplomacy insists that Palestinian statehood cannot come from unilateral declarations but must instead emerge through direct negotiations with Israel. For Prague, such talks remain impossible while the Gaza Strip is under the control of Hamas, which the EU and U.S. classify as a terrorist organization.

The Foreign Ministry reiterated its support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but stressed that recognition must be tied to concrete progress at the negotiating table. Czech President Petr Pavel echoed this stance, warning that premature recognition could create “false expectations” and complicate future peace talks.

The debate unfolded against a backdrop of controversy in Italy, where authorities at the port of Ravenna blocked two trucks carrying explosives reportedly originating from Czechia and bound for Israel. While the exact contents and origin of the shipment have not been independently verified, local officials said the move was consistent with Italy’s suspension of arms sales to Israel. The case has further fueled opposition within Italy, where trade unions have staged nationwide strikes to protest the war in Gaza and demand a halt to military cooperation with Israel.

President Pavel is set to lead the Czech delegation at the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, where the Middle East conflict will once again dominate discussions. In remarks previewing the meeting, he cautioned that “neither side—nor those with extreme views—can hope for a solution that involves displacing or eliminating the other. That is a path with no future.”

Since the outbreak of war in October 2023, more than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to Hamas-controlled authorities. The UN has said most of the victims are civilians, while its Independent Commission of Inquiry recently accused Israel of committing genocide in the enclave.

Against this backdrop, Czechia’s cautious approach reflects a broader diplomatic balancing act: standing firmly behind Israel’s security, while maintaining rhetorical support for a two-state solution that, for now, remains out of reach.