Israeli FM cuts ties with EU foreign policy chief over apartheid comparison

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar blasts European Union’s Kaja Kallas over alleged comments comparing Israel to apartheid-era South Africa, boycotting her until she issues a retraction.

By World Israel News Staff

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Thursday he was severing all contact with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas until she retracts an alleged comparison between Israel and apartheid-era South Africa.

Sa’ar made the announcement in a post on X, accusing Kallas of acting unfairly toward Israel and saying she had not denied, clarified or responded to reports that she made the comparison during a recent visit to Mexico.

“Ms. Kaja Kallas, the EU High Rep. for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has for some time now been acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness toward the State of Israel,” Sa’ar wrote.

“Recently, it was published that during her visit to Mexico, she compared Israel to the racist apartheid regime that existed in South Africa. I am grateful to the many European elected representatives who condemned this grave statement.”

“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.”

“And this is what I am doing.”

The dispute began after Euractiv reported that Kallas compared Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to South Africa’s apartheid era during closed-door meetings with Mexican officials.

The report cited officials and diplomats familiar with the meetings.

One EU diplomat quoted by Euractiv said the comparison was not EU policy.

“The comparison with apartheid is unacceptable and not EU policy. It is a big problem if she is making these kinds of statements while officially representing the EU on the world stage,” the diplomat said.

Hours after Sa’ar’s post, Kallas responded on X, stating that the EU is “always committed” to maintaining a “constructive relationship with Israel,” while adding that the EU believes the “only viable path” to peace in the Middle East is a two-state solution.

“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 wrote.

Sa’ar fired back that Kallas had not responded to reports she accused Israel of apartheid and that his decision to cut ties with her office remained in force.

“With all due respect, even in your remarks here you refrain from denying or condemning what has been attributed to you and published publicly. That speaks for itself.”

“To the best of my knowledge, the statements attributed to you regarding ‘apartheid’ do not reflect the position of the European Union. The matter is simple: If you did indeed make these vile and defamatory statements, stand behind them.”

“If you did not make them, deny it. Until this matter is cleared up, my decision will remain unchanged.”