Babiš to miss Prague’s Nov. 17 commemorations for Israel defense talks

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš will miss Prague’s Nov. 17 commemorations of the Velvet Revolution, traveling instead to Israel with several ministers for talks focused on defense cooperation.

The visit, scheduled for Nov. 16–18 at the invitation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, will also cover healthcare and child protection, the Czech Government Office announced Tuesday.

Babiš said he regretted being unable to attend the annual remembrance on Národní třída, but suggested his absence might help ease political tensions surrounding the occasion.

“I am sorry that this year I will not be able to go to Národní třída on Nov. 17, where I otherwise go every year,” Babiš said. “On the other hand, perhaps it will contribute to calming the tense situation.”

The announcement reverses his stated intention on Oct. 31 to attend. Babiš regularly encounters protests during his visits to the memorial marking the events that helped bring down communist rule in 1989.

Deputy Prime Minister Karel Havlíček and Finance Minister Alena Schillerová confirmed that they would represent ANO and the government on Národní třída.

This year’s commemorations come amid opposition to the government’s proposed overhaul of Czech Television and Czech Radio funding.

A demonstration organized by Million Moments for Democracy is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15, on Prague’s Letná plain, two days before the anniversary.

Separately, the Korzo Národní festival will proceed without a Culture Ministry grant this year. A public fundraising campaign has raised more than CZK 9.7 million.

Culture Minister Oto Klempíř said the event did not meet the relevant grant program’s conditions, which cover anniversaries marked in multiples of 10 years. This year is the Velvet Revolution’s 37th anniversary.

Babiš described the trip as effectively a meeting between governments, with ministers holding talks with their Israeli counterparts.

The delegation will include Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna, Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, Health Minister Adam Vojtěch, Sports Minister Boris Šťastný and Chief of the General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč.

The prime minister identified protection against ballistic missiles as his main priority, explaining the participation of the defense minister and army chief.

He has recently met defense manufacturers, including Israeli representatives, and has repeatedly emphasized air and counter-drone defenses as priorities for Czechia.

The visit announcement does not include a purchasing agreement or identify a particular system selected for acquisition.

Talks will take place while Israel is forming a new government. Netanyahu remains in office pending that process, while President Isaac Herzog has tasked centrist leader Gadi Eisenkot with attempting to assemble a governing coalition.