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.
Keywords
Czechoslovakia, Cold War, diplomacy, foreign policy, Israel, Middle East
Author Biography
Eva Taterová
Eva Taterová born in 1987, she graduated from the International Relations program of
the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, and
the International Masters of Arts Program in Middle East Studies of BenGurion University of the Negev in Israel. Currently, she works as a
researcher at the Faculty of Regional Development and International
Studies, Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic. Her research interests
include the political development and history of the Middle East region,
especially the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the Czechoslovak
foreign policy towards Israel.