ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER CUTS CONTACT WITH EU POLICY CHIEF

Gideon Sa'ar, Israeli Foreign Minister, announced on Thursday that he is severing all contact with Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, following reported comments in which she compared Israel to South Africa under apartheid. Sa'ar stated that Kallas had "for some time now been acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness toward the State of Israel" and accused her of directing a "blood libel" at the country. The two engaged in a public exchange on the social media platform X, with Sa'ar demanding that Kallas either confirm the remarks and stand by them, or deny making them entirely.

Kallas did not confirm or deny the reported apartheid comparison when responding on Thursday. Instead, she emphasised that "dialogue is the foundation of diplomacy, especially when differences arise" and stated that "the EU is always committed to a constructive relationship with Israel." Kallas reiterated the EU's official position that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to peace in the Middle East and noted that the EU has condemned what it describes as illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Sa'ar responded by noting that Kallas's statement still refrained from either denying or condemning the attributed remarks.

EU leaders are currently in Brussels attending a European Council summit where divisions over Israel are expected to feature in discussions. According to reporting, some EU countries have expressed support for imposing sanctions on Israel, whilst others have indicated they will oppose stronger measures against the country. The dispute between Sa'ar and Kallas reflects broader tensions within the EU regarding its approach to Israeli policy.