"The Czech Republic aligns itself with the EU’s statement. We are strong supporters of the Human Rights Council and its prompt and adequate response to the human rights situation as they arise. The Council’s ability to discuss all human rights issues and situation is a key to us. However, the Czech Republic did not support the request to convene this special session on the grave human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem. We cannot endorse a selective and one-sided approach that has no potential to contribute to the promotion of Israeli-Palestinian coexistence in the near future.
It is obvious that Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza bear the primary responsibility for the recent outbreak of violence.
Indiscriminate launching of rockets and mortars from highly populated civilian neighborhoods into civilian population centers in Israel clearly violates international humanitarian law. The Czech Republic strongly condemns these attacks against which Israel has a full and legitimate right to self-defense.
The Czech Republic cannot accept establishment of an ongoing commission of inquiry with a vague mandate to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and in Israel. As others, we see accountability as an indispensable foundation for the effective protection of human rights. Israel, a democratic country with an independent legal system, has appropriate means to effectively confront and address human rights violations when they appear.
The Czech Republic supports any meaningful initiative leading to an end to the ever-repeating cycle of violence, to achieving just and lasting peace, ending all claims. Equally, we remain committed to direct negotiated two-state solution."