Israeli Official Slams EU Action

Tensions are rising as Israel's Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, has publicly rebuked the European Commission’s decision to suspend "bilateral support" and part of the trade agreement with Israel. Sa'ar labeled the Commission's chief, Ursula von der Leyen, as 'regrettable,' stating that such behavior is simply 'unacceptable conduct between partners.'

Accusations of Misplaced Blame

Sa'ar further criticized von der Leyen for echoing 'false propaganda from Hamas', accusing Europe of sending detrimental messages that could empower Hamas and further destabilize the already fragile Middle East.

Europe's Responsibility Amid Crisis

During her annual State of the Union address, von der Leyen condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, referring to it as a "man-made famine," and called on Europe to lead the charge in resolving the situation. She labelled the inability of Europe to respond effectively to Israel's actions as 'painful.'

The Complex Reality of Gaza

Sa'ar asserted that von der Leyen's remarks overlooked the role of Hamas in the crisis, emphasizing that the violence escalated after a devastating attack by Hamas militants on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the tragic loss of around 1,200 lives in Israel, many being innocent civilians. He reiterated that the ongoing suffering faced by both Israelis and Palestinians stems fundamentally from Hamas's actions.

Call for a New Path Forward

With 48 hostages still held by Hamas, many of whom are believed to be alive, Sa'ar pointed out that a ceasefire is contingent on two key actions: the release of the hostages and disarmament of Hamas. He argued that a peaceful future for Gaza is possible, but only if terrorist elements are subdued.

EU's Fractured Consensus

Earlier this year, the EU had agreed to revisit its 1995 partnership with Israel due to ongoing concerns regarding the situation in Gaza. However, gaining a unified stance among member states has proven challenging, as divisions run deep.

Sa'ar's Final Remarks on EU Relations

In response to these developments, Sa'ar expressed that yielding to pressure from factions intent on disrupting Israel-EU relations is misguided and counterproductive. He emphasized that this behavior does not reflect the best interests of European nations, insisting once again that this is 'not acceptable conduct between partners.'