The Czech parliament called on the government to ignore the EU's labeling guidelines for Israeli products from the West Bank and Golan Heights issued by the EU Commission in November.

The Czech Assembly said in a resolution, supported by all government and opposition parties except for the Communists, that the guidelines were "motivated by a political positioning versus the State of Israel."

The vote reflected a long and strong trade and diplomatic relationship between Israel and the Czech Republic.

"It is necessary to reject these attempts that try to discriminate against the only democracy in the Middle East," Czech Culture Minister Daniel Hermann said.

The Czech Foreign Ministry said in a brief statement sent to Reuters that the country respects its EU commitments but also that it considers Israel as a strategic partner and is keen on developing economic relations with the country.

EU member countries that do not follow the bloc's rules can face infringement proceedings by the commission, and eventually can be taken to court.

The EU says the labeling guidelines are ‘’purely technical’’ but Israel branded them "discriminatory" and suspended contacts with European Union bodies involved in peace efforts with the Palestinians.

Hungary and Greece have already announced their opposition to the labeling decision.