While much of Western Europe caves to anti-Israel agitators, Czechia’s new conservative government is showing the kind of moral clarity, national confidence, and political backbone the rest of Europe desperately lacks.
At a moment when Brussels elites are increasingly pressuring Israel—the Middle East’s only democracy—Prague is doing the opposite: standing firmly with America’s closest ally in the region and refusing to bow to the anti-Israel consensus spreading across the European Union.
That matters enormously for the United States.
The Czech government understands what too many Western European leaders refuse to admit: support for Israel is not simply about one conflict in the Middle East. It is about whether the West still has the courage to defend democratic civilization against terrorism, extremism, and authoritarianism.
And right now, Czechia is one of the few countries in Europe willing to say so openly.
During Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s recent visit to Prague, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka pledged that Czechia would block any new EU sanctions against Israel—even if Prague had to stand alone. “The Czech Republic will continue to oppose all proposals aimed at isolating Israel,” Macinka declared, emphasizing that Prague would use every available mechanism inside the EU to stop punitive measures against the Jewish state.
That is not symbolic diplomacy. It is strategic resistance against a Brussels foreign policy establishment increasingly detached from reality.
Macinka also made clear that Czechia opposes any effort to suspend or weaken the EU–Israel Association Agreement, one of the central pillars of Israel’s relationship with Europe. In doing so, Prague is directly challenging the growing push inside the EU to economically and diplomatically pressure Israel while excusing or minimizing the terrorism Israel faces.
The contrast with much of Western Europe could not be more stark.
Governments in countries such as Spain and Ireland have embraced increasingly hostile rhetoric toward Israel while tolerating massive pro-Palestinian demonstrations that frequently descend into open support for Hamas, antisemitism, and anti-Western extremism. Across Europe, demonstrators wave the flags of terrorist-linked movements, glorify “resistance,” and chant slogans calling for the destruction of Israel—all while European political elites pretend these movements are simply expressions of humanitarian concern.
They are not.
Far too often, these protests function as political cover for groups that excuse terrorism, justify dictatorship, and openly oppose the values of Western democracy. The same activists condemning Israel are frequently silent about Hamas’s Islamist extremism, murderous authoritarianism, hostage-taking, and use of civilians as human shields.
Czechia has refused to indulge these moral distortions.
Prague’s position reflects a deeper understanding born from history. Having endured both Nazi occupation and communist dictatorship, the Czech people understand the dangers of ideological extremism and the consequences of appeasing aggressive movements. Unlike many Western European governments consumed by post-national guilt politics, Czechia still believes national sovereignty, democratic accountability, and civilizational self-confidence matter.
That is precisely why Prague’s stand against Brussels is so important.
The Czech government recognizes that the EU is increasingly seeking to centralize foreign policy decision-making in ways that undermine member states’ sovereignty. On Israel, migration, energy, and free speech, Brussels has repeatedly attempted to impose ideological conformity on nations that disagree with the prevailing Leftist-globalist consensus.
Czechia’s new conservative government is signaling that sovereign nations inside Europe still have the right—and obligation—to resist.
Other European countries should follow its example.
Rather than submitting to Brussels pressure campaigns or activist intimidation, governments across Europe should reassert control over their own foreign policies and stand unapologetically with democratic allies confronting terrorism.
That is exactly what Prague is doing.
The Czech–Israeli relationship is also deepening economically and strategically. Bilateral trade exceeded $1.4 billion in 2025, Israeli tourism to Czechia continues to rise, and major Czech–Israeli business forums in Prague are expanding cooperation in technology, security, and investment.
While other European governments flirt with boycotts and diplomatic hostility, Czechia is building a stronger partnership with one of the world’s leading democratic innovators.
Washington should pay close attention.
Too often, American policymakers treat “Europe” as if it speaks with one voice. It does not. There is an increasingly visible divide between governments committed to sovereignty, Atlanticism, and democratic solidarity—and governments drifting toward ideological anti-Westernism dressed up as human rights diplomacy.
Countries like Czechia represent the best of Europe: patriotic, democratic, pro-American, and willing to defend the West even when doing so carries political costs.
At a time when many larger European powers appear embarrassed by their own civilization, Prague is showing courage.
The rest of Europe should take note.
And the United States should remember who its real allies are.
About the Author: Paul McCarthy
Paul McCarthy is Senior Research Fellow for European Affairs in the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation. The views expressed are the author’s own.
