Kristina Lowe
Introduction
The Visegrád Group, composed of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, is a Central European Alliance focused on political and security cooperation, among a few other fields. This analysis examines how each of these countries has responded to the current situation in Palestine, focusing on both official government stances and societal reactions. By considering diplomatic statements, parliamentary debates, protests, and public opinion data, it examines the relationship between political positions and public attitudes.
Poland:
Poland’s government has generally emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas.[1] At the same time, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stated that they “[do] not accept the number of casualties in Gaza”[2] that have resulted from Israel forces failing to protect civilians.[3] In August 2025, the Polish Foreign Ministry also expressed strong opposition to Israel’s E1 settlement initiative in the West Bank and emphasized continued support for a two-state resolution.[4] Public opinion in Poland is mixed regarding the Israel–Palestine conflict. IBRIS polling from May 2025 indicates that roughly 66 percent of Poles support a neutral position for Poland in the Israel–Palestine dispute.[5] While many citizens remain largely disengaged from Middle Eastern affairs, small-scale demonstrations in Warsaw and other cities have expressed solidarity with Palestinian civilians.[6]
Hungary:
Hungary’s government has consistently maintained a pro-Israel stance. During her visit to Israel, President Katalin Novák announced that Hungarians across the political spectrum united in condemning the attacks and supporting Israel.[7] Reflecting this pro-Israel standpoint, Hungary announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court shortly before Prime Minister Orbán met Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Budapest, who faces an ICC arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in the Palestinian territories.[8] Public attitudes in Hungary broadly follow the government’s pro-Israel stance. Around 30% of Hungarians viewed Israel’s October 2023 counterattacks as legitimate and moderate, while 41% deemed them legitimate but disproportionate.[9] Although most Hungarians support Israel, small rallies in Budapest have shown solidarity with Palestinian civilians and called for an end to the violence.[10]
The Czech Republic:
The Presidential Office stated that the Czech Republic supports Israel’s right to self-defense while stressing the need to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following discussions between President Pavel and Foreign Minister Lipavský.[11] Lipavský highlighted a negotiated two-state solution, with both leaders agreeing that civilians must be protected and Czech humanitarian aid to Gaza maintained.[12] Public opinion is divided, with about one-third of Czechs seeing both sides as equally responsible for the conflict, while 21% place more blame on Palestinians. [13] Peaceful protests in Prague, organized by the Friends of Palestine Association, Prague4PalestineYouth, and the International Solidarity Movement, have drawn 1,200–1,400 participants calling for an end to Israeli strikes, more humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and negotiations toward a fair resolution.[14]
Slovakia:
Slovakia has maintained a balanced approach to the Israel–Palestine conflict. President Peter Pellegrini has reiterated support for Palestinian rights and emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution,[15] while the government affirms Israel’s right to self-defense and stresses the importance of humanitarian aid in Gaza.[16] Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár also reaffirmed Slovakia’s support for a two-state solution and stressed the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. While many Slovak citizens acknowledge Israel’s security concerns, there is also notable sympathy for Palestinian civilians. Demonstrations in Bratislava, generally smaller in scale compared to those in other countries, have called for an end to Israeli strikes, greater aid to Gaza, and negotiations toward a fair and lasting resolution.[17]
Conclusion
The Visegrád Group’s reactions to the Israel–Palestine conflict illustrate both unity and divergence within Central Europe. Poland and Slovakia lean toward neutrality and balance, Hungary stands firmly pro-Israel, while the Czech Republic supports Israel but voices stronger humanitarian concerns. Public opinion reflects these variations, with neutrality dominant in Poland, stronger pro-Israel sentiment in Hungary, divided views in Czechia, and smaller-scale but sympathetic demonstrations in Slovakia. These contrasts reveal how regional politics and public attitudes intersect in shaping foreign policy.
Bibliography:
About Hungary. “President Novák: Israel Has the Right to Defd Itself.” President Novák: Israel has the right to defend itself, November 6, 2023. https://abouthungary.hu/news-in-brief/president-novak-israel-has-the-right-to-defend-itself.
Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska. “In Poland, Where Criticising Israel Remains Taboo, Gaza Solidarity Rises.” Al Jazeera, November 18, 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/18/in-poland-where-criticising-israel-remains-taboo-gaza-solidarity-rises.
Bir, Burak. “Poland ‘Strongly’ Opposes Israel’s Controversial Settlement Plan in Occupied West Bank.” Aa.com.tr, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/poland-strongly-opposes-israels-controversial-settlement-plan-in-occupied-west-bank/3665927.
Bíro-Nagy, András , Kristóf Molnár, Áron Szaszi, and Attila Varga. “The World through Hungarian Eyes – Foreign Policy Attitudes in Hungary in 2024.” Policy Solutions, July 2024. https://www.policysolutions.hu/userfiles/Policy_Solutions_The_World_Through_Hungarian_Eyes_2024.pdf.
Brophy, Oscar. “This Protest Was for Gaza—Then It Turned into a Showdown with a Marxist MEP and a Far-Right Influencer.” www.sme.sk. SME.sk, March 26, 2025. https://spectator.sme.sk/politics-and-society/c/pro-palestine-protest-slovakia.
Ferenčik, Jakub. “Presidential Office: Czechia Supports Israel but Urges Humanitarian Aid in Gaza.” Radio Prague International, July 30, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/presidential-office-czechia-supports-israel-urges-humanitarian-aid-gaza-8858352.
Giang Mi Nguyenová. “Peace Research Center Prague – Charles University Center of Excellence.” Peace Research Center Prague – Charles University Center of Excellence, June 3, 2024. https://www.prcprague.cz/news/czech-people-and-israel-2023-2024.
Iranpress.com. “Pro-Palestine Protests in Budapest.” Iran Press, August 17, 2024. https://iranpress.com/content/286627/pro-palestine-protests-budapest.
Jazeera, Al. “Hungary Says It Will Withdraw from ICC as Israel’s Netanyahu Visits,” April 3, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/3/hungary-says-it-will-withdraw-from-icc-as-israels-netanyahu-visits.
Lazarová, Daniela. “Hundreds March through Prague in Support of Palestine.” Radio Prague International, January 21, 2024. https://english.radio.cz/hundreds-march-through-prague-support-palestine-8806224.
Marek Antalik. “Blanar: Slovakia Will Reject Any Proposals to Cut off EU-Israel Dialogue.” NewsNow, July 9, 2025. https://newsnow.tasr.sk/blanar-slovakia-will-reject-any-proposals-to-cut-off-eu-israel-dialogue/.
PolskieRadio.pl. “Poland Responds to Israeli Ad Campaign about Gaza War,” 2025. https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7785/Artykul/3562702.
PolskieRadio.pl. “Warsaw’s ‘March for Palestine’ Urges Poland to Curb Ties with Israel,” 2025. https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7789/Artykul/3566357.
WAFA Agency. “Slovakia Affirms Support for Palestinian Rights,” 2025. https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/154296.
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[1] PolskieRadio.pl. “Poland Responds to Israeli Ad Campaign about Gaza War,” 2025. https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7785/Artykul/3562702.
[2] PolskieRadio.pl. “Poland Responds to Israeli Ad Campaign about Gaza War,” 2025.
[3] PolskieRadio.pl, “Poland Responds to Israeli Ad Campaign.”
[4] Bir, Burak. “Poland ‘Strongly’ Opposes Israel’s Controversial Settlement Plan in Occupied West Bank.” Aa.com.tr, 2025. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/poland-strongly-opposes-israels-controversial-settlement-plan-in-occupied-west-bank/3665927.
[5] Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska. “In Poland, Where Criticising Israel Remains Taboo, Gaza Solidarity Rises.” Al Jazeera, November 18, 2024. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/18/in-poland-where-criticising-israel-remains-taboo-gaza-solidarity-rises.
[6] PolskieRadio.pl. “Warsaw’s ‘March for Palestine’ Urges Poland to Curb Ties with Israel,” 2025. https://www.polskieradio.pl/395/7789/Artykul/3566357.
[7] About Hungary. “President Novák: Israel Has the Right to Defend Itself.” President Novák: Israel has the right to defend itself, November 6, 2023. https://abouthungary.hu/news-in-brief/president-novak-israel-has-the-right-to-defend-itself.
[8] Jazeera, Al. “Hungary Says It Will Withdraw from ICC as Israel’s Netanyahu Visits, April 3, 2025. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/3/hungary-says-it-will-withdraw-from-icc-as-israels-netanyahu-visits.
[9] Bíro-Nagy, András , Kristóf Molnár, Áron Szaszi, and Attila Varga. “The World through Hungarian Eyes – Foreign Policy Attitudes in Hungary in 2024.” Policy Solutions, July 2024. https://www.policysolutions.hu/userfiles/Policy_Solutions_The_World_Through_Hungarian_Eyes_2024.pdf.
[10] Iranpress.com. “Pro-Palestine Protests in Budapest.” Iran Press, August 17, 2024. https://iranpress.com/content/286627/pro-palestine-protests-budapest.
[11] Ferenčik, Jakub. “Presidential Office: Czechia Supports Israel but Urges Humanitarian Aid in Gaza.” Radio Prague International, July 30, 2025. https://english.radio.cz/presidential-office-czechia-supports-israel-urges-humanitarian-aid-gaza-8858352.
[12] Ferenčik, Jakub. “Presidential Office: Czechia Supports Israel but Urges Humanitarian Aid in Gaza.” Radio Prague International, July 30, 2025.
[13] Giang Mi Nguyenová. “Peace Research Center Prague – Charles University Center of Excellence.” Peace Research Center Prague – Charles University Center of Excellence, June 3, 2024. https://www.prcprague.cz/news/czech-people-and-israel-2023-2024.
[14] Lazarová, Daniela. “Hundreds March through Prague in Support of Palestine.” Radio Prague International, January 21, 2024. https://english.radio.cz/hundreds-march-through-prague-support-palestine-8806224.
[15] WAFA Agency. “Slovakia Affirms Support for Palestinian Rights,” 2025. https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/154296.
[16] Marek Antalik. “Blanar: Slovakia Will Reject Any Proposals to Cut off EU-Israel Dialogue.” NewsNow, July 9, 2025. https://newsnow.tasr.sk/blanar-slovakia-will-reject-any-proposals-to-cut-off-eu-israel-dialogue/.
[17] Brophy, Oscar. “This Protest Was for Gaza—Then It Turned into a Showdown with a Marxist MEP and a Far-Right Influencer.” www.sme.sk. SME.sk, March 26, 2025. https://spectator.sme.sk/politics-and-society/c/pro-palestine-protest-slovakia.
