From protests to flags, Czech officials and citizens show support for Israel

Czechia is coming together in support of Israel following deadly attacks from the Islamic militant organization Hamas. Many people congregated in Prague to show support for Israel, senior politicians have spoken out against the attacks, and public buildings have hoisted the Israeli flag or lit up in white and blue colors.

On Monday afternoon, around 100 people turned up in Wenceslas Square to voice their support for Israel. The Czech Society of Friends of Israel organized the demonstration, and its organizer Karel Sedláček said: "We want to transform the horror into something positive…and that is precisely the move of the Czech embassy to Jerusalem.”

The Israeli ambassador to the Czech Republic, Anna Azari, described current events as being “Israel’s 9/11.” Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda also pledged full support to Israel, and stressed Czechia's "very long relations" with the country.

Demonstrators also carried signs reading: “Killers from Gaza are murdering Jews”, “Israel has the right to exist” or “Prague stands for Israel.” Former Prime Minister Jan Fischer and Senator Jiří Drahoš were also in attendance.

Aside from Prague’s Petřín Tower, which displayed white and blue colors on Saturday, the Miloš Sýkora bridge and the town hall tower in Ostrava were also illuminated in blue and white Monday night.

Government buildings also made a show of their support: Prague City Hall displayed the flag of Israel Monday afternoon, as did the building of the Chamber of Deputies.

The Foreign Ministry also hoisted the Israeli flag, commenting: “The Czech Republic stands behind Israel.” Several other regional administrative offices, such as in Olomoc and Poděbrady, also displayed Israeli flags.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala stated Monday that he supports moving the Czech embassy in Israel to Jerusalem from Tel-Aviv, where it is currently located. The Chamber of Deputies could debate the embassy-relocation idea as early as today. On Monday afternoon, Fiala laid flowers in front of the Israeli embassy in Prague.

Fiala also welcomed the EU’s decision to examine the flow of European money to the Palestinian territories in response to Saturday's attack. He wants to discuss the matter in the coalition as soon as possible.