Rabat – Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka has sparked criticism after saying that the Czech Republic is among Europe’s safest countries because it has “no migrants from Islamic states,” linking the country’s immigration policy to public safety during remarks welcoming Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.
Speaking at the opening of the Czech-Israeli Business Forum in Tel Aviv on Tuesday, Macinka said the Czech Republic remained a safe destination for both its citizens and Israeli visitors because it had refused mass migration.
“I think that your people know that the Czech Republic is the safest country in Europe,” Macinka said. “We have no migrants from Islamic states… We are refusing the mass migration.”
He added that successive Czech governments have maintained the same approach regardless of political changes, saying the country has consistently refused “to change part of our society with a different culture and religious background.”
Macinka concluded by telling Sa’ar that Israeli tourists are “very, very welcome” in the Czech Republic.
The remarks came as Macinka and Sa’ar sought to deepen bilateral ties between the two countries. The ministers opened the Israel-Czech Business Forum, which brought together more than 200 companies and business representatives from both countries.
During the event, the two foreign ministers signed a joint declaration aimed at expanding economic, political, and technological cooperation and agreed to make the business forum an annual event.
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Macinka also pledged to continue supporting Israel politically, including within the European Union, while calling for stronger economic cooperation.
Macinka’s comments on migration echo long-standing anti-immigration rhetoric that has featured prominently in Czech politics for years. Although the Czech Republic has accepted relatively few asylum seekers compared with many Western European countries, several senior political leaders have repeatedly opposed migration from Muslim-majority countries.
Former Czech President Miloš Zeman drew international criticism in 2016 after saying that integrating Muslim communities into European society was “practically impossible.” He also described the refugee influx into Europe as an “organized invasion” and argued that migrants should remain in their home countries rather than seek refuge in Europe.
The Czech Republic has consistently opposed mandatory European Union migrant relocation quotas and has maintained one of the bloc’s most restrictive positions on asylum and migration.
Macinka’s latest remarks have renewed debate over immigration and Islam in Europe, as critics argue that portraying migrants from Islamic countries as a threat to public safety unfairly stigmatizes entire communities on the basis of their religion or origin.
