The future of Western civilization and its basic values – respect for human life and respect for the civilian population – are at stake in Ukraine and Israel. Petr Fiala, the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, stated this at the SH!FTS conference.
The nature of conflicts is different, Fiala said. Russia’s aggression against Ukraine is a brutal but conventional military conflict, while Hamas’s attack on Israel is pure terrorism, the prime minister stated.
What they have in common is that Western civilization has been attacked and that both attacks will affect the international environment in the next decade, the prime minister added.
“Security crises force us to respond to them, to change under their pressure. … There is no prosperity without security,” Fiala said.
The Prime Minister believes the Czech Republic should abandon frivolity and prepare as best as possible for all threats. Fiala recalled that the country is increasing defense spending, reaching two percent of the gross domestic product next year. It is also necessary to work on strengthening the country’s social stability because the state is faced with increased propaganda and psychological warfare, the Prime Minister emphasized.
“Maintaining basic consent in society will probably be the biggest challenge we face,” Fiala concluded and called for support for those who have become victims of aggressors.
Cover: Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto
