Israel’s foreign minister said on Thursday that he was severing all contact with the European Union’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas over reported remarks in which she allegedly compared Israel to the apartheid regime that once ruled South Africa.
Diplomatic relations between Israel and the EU have come under heavy strain since Israel launched its genocidal war on Gaza in October 2023, as well as over violence by illegal Israeli settlers towards Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.
On Thursday, Gideon Saar accused EU foreign policy chief Kallas of “acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness” towards Israel.
“Recently, it was published that during her visit to Mexico, she compared Israel to the racist apartheid regime that existed in South Africa,” Saar wrote on X.
“However, to date, no denial, clarification or response has been issued by her regarding this severe statement.
“Therefore, as the foreign minister of the State of Israel, I have no choice but to sever all contact with Ms Kallas until she retracts the blood libel she directed at the world’s only Jewish state, which is also the only democracy in the Middle East,” he said.
According to European news outlet Euractiv, Kallas made the remarks during a closed-door meeting with Mexican government officials while on a visit to Mexico last month.
Kallas responded to Saar’s comments on Thursday by emphasising the need for continued dialogue between the EU and Israel, but declined to address the alleged “apartheid” remarks.
“I value our dialogue and engagement, and I’m open to continue in that spirit, respectfully and constructively,” Kallas wrote on X.
“The EU is always committed to a constructive relationship with Israel. To bring peace to the Middle East, the Two-State Solution remains the only viable path.
“The EU has condemned the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank that make it increasingly difficult to get to that goal. That is the EU position,” Kallas added.
