Czechoslovak Foreign Policy towards Israel in 1950–1955

Abstract

The aim of this article is to describe in detail and to understand the evolution of the bilateral Czechoslovak-Israeli political relations in 1950–1955. The mutual relations in this period can be considered as very unfavourable or even hostile. The early 1950s were marked by the political processes in Czechoslovakia. Due to the proclamations of antisemitism by Czechoslovak authorities, the diplomatic relations between Czechoslovakia and Israel were harmed significantly. The open hostility escalated after the detentions of two Israeli citizens in Czechoslovakia in December 1951. In response, a radical Zionist group called the Kingdom of Israel launched two attacks on the building of the Czechoslovak embassy in Tel Aviv. A temporary improvement of the mutual relations occurred in 1955, but this process was ceased by the Suez Crisis in 1956.