Czech officials back Shomron residents against EU sanctions

Shomron Regional Council head Yossi Dagan met with senior Czech officials in Prague, including Senate Deputy Chairman Jiri Oberfalzer and parliament members Miloslav Janulík and Denis Dusenský. The meetings, which were reported Monday, are part of Dagan's effort to build a European coalition against sanctions on Judea and Samaria.

During the meeting with Dagan, the Czech Senate deputy chairman expressed support for Israel and Shomron residents, and criticized the way the conflict is portrayed in the West.

"We express solidarity with Israel, we understand this struggle, and we would like Western civilization to understand the true nature of this conflict and free itself from the false information that is successfully spread in our part of Western culture," Oberfalzer said.

He then delivered a direct message to Shomron residents: "We send blessings to the residents of Shomron and strengthen their hands. We wish you success in guarding your land and your culture. And we stand with you, so that you can build your culture and your history, as you have already done in the past."

In a separate meeting Dagan held with Czech parliament members, both officials expressed support for the residents of Judea and Samaria. Parliament member Denis Dusenský said: "We want to thank you on behalf of the Czech Parliament, to all the people from Shomron. We truly wish you and your land success, may G-d bless you."

Parliament member Miloslav Janulík, from the ANO 2011 party, added: "I wish the best to the people of Shomron. Be strong, we stand with you."

Dagan thanked both for their words and the support they expressed. "I want to thank you for your support and for your partnership. We are together to win for the future of Israel and Europe, and we are going to win this together. On behalf of the residents of Shomron, thank you very much," he said.

During the parliament meetings, Dagan presented maps of Judea and Samaria and explained to the officials the strategic importance of the region for Israel's security.

"Without Shomron, the State of Israel cannot exist," Dagan said. He added that in his view, Israel stands on the front line of the Western world against radical Islam, and that the struggle for its security has implications for Europe's future and security as well.

The meetings in the Senate and parliament followed a series of meetings Dagan held with other senior officials in the Czech government. Earlier, he met with Czech Sports Minister Boris Stastny and with Ondřej Knotek, chairman of the ruling Czech party's faction in the European Parliament.

Knotek expressed support for Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria and said in a joint video with Dagan: "Sovereignty in your region is most important, not only for you, but also for all of Europe and the Western world."

The diplomatic push in the Czech Republic joins activity Dagan is conducting in Slovenia, where he met with Prime Minister Janez Janša and his deputy Jernej Vrtovec. The meetings were held after the Slovenian government canceled the boycott on imports from Judea and Samaria.

In a meeting Dagan held with Vrtovec in September, the Slovenian deputy prime minister expressed support for Israeli sovereignty in the region and said: "We support Shomron being under sovereignty."