The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu made a brief stop-over in
Prague on Wednesday to personally thank his Czech counterpart, Petr
Nečas,
for the Czech Republic’s vote at the UN General Assembly last week
against the upgrading of the Palestinians’ status at the United Nations.
The Czech Republic was one of only nine countries to vote against the
Palestinians becoming an observer state – and the only European Union
country to do so. At a press briefing in Prague the Israeli prime minister
said the Czech Republic had taken a brave, if not popular, stance. He
reiterated that he remained committed to a two-state solution with the
Palestinians, but stressed that Israel would not reverse its course in the
construction of new settlements nor would it sacrifice its vital interests
for the sake of obtaining the world's applause.
Analysts note that Mr. Netanyahu’s second visit to Prague this year
reflects the two countries' above-standard relations. From Prague the
Israeli prime minister will travel to Berlin for talks with Chancellor
Angela Merkel.