One-Third Back Israel in Czech Republic, Survey Finds

Public support for Israel in the Czech Republic has not changed significantly after more than two years of war in Gaza, according to a survey by the Herzl Center for Israel Studies. One-third of those surveyed approve of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, while about 40% disapprove.

The same survey found that the largest group, 41%, could not say who had played a greater historical role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Another 27% believed both nations bore roughly equal responsibility.

Herzl Center survey in Prague

The Herzl Center for Israel Studies is based at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University in Prague. It organised the survey with Ipsos for 2022 to 2024 and with STEM in 2025, reaching 1,000 people aged over 18. The study covered Czechs’ views of the conflict in the Middle East between 2023 and 2025.

Irena Kalhousova, an expert on Czech-Israeli relations from the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University, said: “Czechs generally remain rather sympathetic toward Israel, but it is evident that the younger generation, in particular, is significantly more critical of how Israel conducted the war in Gaza”.

Older voters stay more supportive

Kalhousova also said “the Czech Republic is a relatively unique case of a country where pro-Israeli attitudes still predominate”. The survey found that younger people and women tend to be more critical of Israel, while the older generation and men are more likely to express support.

Support also split along party lines. Voters of centre-right parties, particularly the Spolu coalition, have long held the most positive views of Israel and Czech-Israeli relations. Voters for Freedom and Direct Democracy and Stacilo! showed a higher degree of critical or reserved attitudes, while indecision tended to prevail among ANO voters.

Czech views after 7 October 2023

The survey came after the most recent outbreak of violence in the region began on 7 October 2023 with an attack on Israel by Hamas. Across the two-year period, the results suggest Czech opinion has stayed comparatively stable even as attitudes inside the country shifted by age, gender and party preference. For readers in the Czech Republic, the clearest divide now runs less between full support and full rejection than between established sympathy and growing criticism among younger voters.