Czech Foreign Minister Prays at the Western Wall: "People of Israel, We Are Who We Are Thanks to You"

Czech Foreign Minister Petr Mzinka arrived in Israel today (Tuesday) and offered a prayer at the Western Wall. He was accompanied by Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar. The two were greeted by the Rabbi of the Western Wall and the Holy Sites, Rabbi Shmuel Rabinowitz, who explained to the visiting minister the Western Wall's immense significance for the Jewish people throughout the generations.

Rabbi Rabinowitz thanked Minister Mzinka for his firm stand alongside the State of Israel. During the visit, the minister toured the new 'Gate of Heaven' exhibit and placed a personal note between the stones of the Western Wall. At the end of his visit, the Czech foreign minister said: "I call on you to continue to present this unique site to the entire world, so that everyone will recognize its importance. When the world sees and understands the facts, it will be able to form a firm position alongside Israel against any attempt to undermine your thousands-year-old history." The minister added: "To the people of Israel, thank you for our civilization. We are who we are thanks to you!"

Earlier today, Foreign Minister Sa'ar met with his Czech counterpart for a diplomatic discussion. In his remarks after the meeting, Mzinka said that Israel is "a civilized country surrounded by uncivilized enemies," and added that many of those who criticize Israel do not understand the security reality it faces. According to him, "There are those who judge Israel from a liberal, democratic, human-rights-based perspective, but do not take into account the environment in which it operates. Some actors treat the reality in the region naively, without understanding the dangers it contains. Expecting Israel to act with the same naivete could harm its ability to survive."

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said: "Europe is burying its head in the sand like an ostrich. European leaders preach to Israel from their air-conditioned offices. Some depict Israel as a colonial project, but we are the indigenous people of this land."

Regarding the Iranian issue, Sa'ar added: "We will not allow the Iranian regime to realize its malicious plan. We will not allow the Iranian regime to obtain nuclear weapons. We will not allow it to choke us via its proxy terror states. Our joint action with the United States has severely damaged the regime's nuclear and missile programs, as well as its military industry. We will continue to stand guard. We will never allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. The international community must take a clear stand: against Iran's nuclear ambitions and against its terror armies. Enriched uranium must not be allowed to remain in Iran."