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 On October 28th, 2014, the Czech ambassadorׂ ( designated)  ׂׂto Israel, Mr. Ivo Schwarz and his wife Mrs. Eva Schwarz, offered a reception at their residence in Hertzlia Pituach to celebrate the Czech Republic's National day.

 

Tuesday, 28 October: Independent Czechoslovak State Day - date of the foundation of Czechoslovakia, which declared independence from the Hapsburg Empire at the end of World War I.
In the early hours of October 28, 1918 the agricultural council, in the name of the National Committee, took over the cereal institute in order to prevent the transport of grain to the front. This was followed by the dissemination of information recognizing Austro-Hungary's peace conditions. That evening the National Committee issued the first law on the establishment of an independent state.


The glittering guest list included members of the diplomatic corps, business and commercial leaders, VIPs of the Czech communities in Israel, Israeli political leaders and other "who's who" of the Israel social calendar.

 

The Czech Ambassador welcomed the honorable guest of Israel - The Tourism Minister, Mr.Uzi Landau.

 

A lavish buffet dinner featuring Czech dishes like Goulash and Blanches followed, accompanied of course by Czech bear and a range of alcoholic and other beverages. Guests mingled happily, renewing old friendships and creating new ones.

 

The formal part of the event started with violinists playing the national anthems of both countries, followed by the speech of the designated Ambassador for the Czech Republic.
In welcoming the guests, the Ambassador thanked everyone for being there in celebration of this remarkable day for the Czech country.

 

 

Wording of the speech gave by the Ambassador Ivo Schwarz:


"Only two weeks ago I arrived as new ambassador of the Czech Republic. Therefore let me take this opportunity to briefly introduce myself. My name is Ivo Schwarz and I am very happy to be appointed as the official Czech representative in this wonderful country. I collaborated very closely with the State of Israel in my previous job concerning the Czech national security and I am looking forward to develop my experience also on this responsible position.


Thank you for joining us to celebrate the Czech national holiday. I am happy to see you all here especially the Minister of tourism Uzi Landau. Tourism is a very important part of Czech-Israeli relations, the number of Israeli visitors in the Czech Republic is increasing every year and we would be happy to intensify this trend even more. I am saying this not only because of the economic impact of tourism, but also because of the social one. Travelling leads to better knowledge of the other culture and mentality, better understanding, empathy for the other country and creates the fundament for the friendship between the nations. For this reason we strongly support also the tourism from the Czech Republic to Israel and it is not a coincidence that the Czech Airlines did not interrupt their regular service during the conflict this summer. Tourism offers a great potential to our relations and I am convinced that we will together successfully manage also the future challenges in this field. Dear Minister Uzi Landau it is an honor to have you here and welcome among us.


And now let me say couple of words about history of this day. But firstly one sentence in Czech: Vitám zde všechny Čechoslováky


The Czech national holiday commemorate a history 96 years ago. On October 28, 1918 the first independent Czechoslovak state was founded from territories that were previously part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Of all the new states established in central Europe after 1918, only Czechoslovakia became a successful multi-party parliamentary democracy and preserved a democratic government until the war broke out. Czechoslovakia belonged to a small group of states that officially recognized Jewish nationality and granted Jews full civil rights. Even when right-wing extremism rose in prewar Europe, Czechoslovakia was one of the few countries that did not apply any anti-Jewish laws. During this period, three congresses of the World Zionist Organization took place in the Czech cities of Prague and Karlovy Vary. In addition, Czechoslovak president Masaryk was a keen supporter of the Zionist movement and the first head of state who visited the Jewish communities in Palestine in 1927.


I mention it because with the celebration of Czechoslovakia we celebrate also the Czech-Israeli friendship. There was no coincidence that 1948 the Czechoslovak government recognized the State of Israel only 5 days after its proclamation of independence and supplied it with military equipment and weapons, when Israel found itself at war with its Arab neighbors. Similar like Israel the prewar Czechoslovakia was surrounded on every side by hostile non-democratic states. At that time its security was "guaranteed" by a series of international agreements and "promises", but at the end of the 1930th Czechoslovakia lost its independence with horrible consequences for the overwhelming majority of its population, especially for our Jewish citizens. This history might explain why we support Israel as the only democracy in the Middle East till the present time.


I am happy to say that the bilateral relations are in top form, as evidenced by the high frequency of our political contacts, increasing dynamics of economic exchange and a rich network of activities at non-governmental level. For the Czech Embassy it means a commitment which we want do develop further for intensifying of our partnership and friendship. The most important events in the coming days will be the visit of the Czech Minister of foreign affairs Lubomír Zaorálek in the state of Israel followed by a visit of members of defense and security committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Czech Parliament and at the end of next month the by common cabinet meeting of the Czech and Israeli government in Jerusalem.


A lot of work has been done, a lot of work is still staying before us. Therefore I am happy to see you here to support us in our effort and celebrate the independence day of a state on the spiritual foundation of which the Czech Republic was established. I am very glad about your coming and looking forward to our further cooperation.


Finally let me thank to all my colleagues from the embassy, who worked heavy to prepare this reception".

 

 

 Following the speech of the Ambassador, Minister Uzi Landau addressed the dignitaries and said the following:


"I am very pleased and honored to represent the Government and People of Israel in congratulating the Czech Republic on the occasion of its National Day, on the 28th of October, the day on which Czechoslovakia was established in 1918.


The friendship between Israel and the Czech Republic is more than just a close relationship between two governments. It is a friendship between two peoples, and it is a tie that runs deep. As we join you in celebration of this year's National Day, we again wish to take the opportunity to express Israel's esteem and appreciation to both the Czech Government and the Czech People for their traditional longstanding support of Israel.


Even prior to the formal establishment of the State of Israel, the people of Czechoslovakia stood by the Jewish people. Czech support during our War for Independence, given through supplies of arms, aircraft, and training for our young pilots, was crucial during the early days of Israel's existence. Since then, leaders of the Czech Republic have consistently stood alongside the Israeli people, and we take great pride at the special relationship that has grown between our two countries.


Of course, we well remember and appreciate the historic and prominent Czech support given by President Thomas Masaryk and later by Foreign Minister Jan Masaryk, as well as by President Edvard Beneš.


This summer, during the period of Operation Protective Edge, Israel had to once again face terrorist attacks against our civilian population in the south and elsewhere throughout the country. The visit to Israel by a Parliamentarian delegation during this time, which included Czech parties from the Coalition and Opposition, was heartwarming, and was carried out quickly and out of a deep sense of solidarity.


To emphasize the high level of our bilateral relationship, one year ago, Israel had the honor and privilege of hosting President Miloš Zeman, whose visit was a prominent example of the closeness of our two nations' ties. Senior representatives of both countries are currently working on this coming month's Third Government-to-Government meeting in Jerusalem, focusing on economic cooperation and innovation.


Our close bilateral relations include academic cooperation in the form of two special Chairs, sponsored by both Governments, at the Inter-Disciplinary Center in Herzelia and at the Masaryk University in Brno, and also the Czech-Israel Forum which met for the third time in July of this year.


We welcome the ties between the young generations of the Czech Republic and Israel, and we are currently working for the signing of a "working holiday agreement" which will enable youth to stay for lengthy periods of time in each other's country, combining work with tourism.


Israel views with concern the growing anti-Semitism in parts of Europe, and we value the Czech Republic's contribution as a loyal and determined ally in the fight against anti-Semitism.
We welcome the Czech Republic's Ambassador-Designate, Mr. Ivo Schwarz, who in his previous positions, maintained close ties with his Israeli counterparts. Ambassador-Designate Schwarz, we are confident that in your new position you will continue to promote close bilateral relations.


To conclude, please convey to the Government and People of the Czech Republic our congratulations on the occasion of your National Day. May your country enjoy continued prosperity and success, and may the ties of friendship and cooperation between the Czech Republic and the State of Israel continue to flourish in the years ahead".
Best wishes for peace, prosperity and friendship between our two peoples.

 

Best wishes for many more years of mutual cooperation and success for the two countries - Czech and Israel.

 

 Photos Silvia Golan