Israel breaks off ties with EU foreign minister over comparison with apartheid

Israel has severed all diplomatic ties with Eleni Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, following remarks she made comparing Israel's policies to the apartheid regime in South Africa. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced this decision, accusing Kallas of acting "obsessively and clearly unjustly" toward Israel. He described her comparison as a "blood libel," stating that Kallas had neither denied nor clarified the controversial statements, leaving him with "no other choice" but to cut off contact with her.

The incident comes amid increasingly tense relations between Israel and parts of Europe, particularly over the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the violence involving Israeli settlers on the West Bank, and growing calls within the EU for stricter measures against Israel. The EU has previously discussed sanctions targeting Israeli officials and settlers, though there has been no consensus among member states regarding broader punitive actions. Kallas recently confirmed that there is currently no agreement on imposing sanctions against Itamar Ben-Gvir, an Israeli far-right minister, despite some member states advocating for harsher responses.

Israel has frequently accused European institutions of bias, arguing that the EU overlooks the security threats it faces. Saar has previously criticized European initiatives against Israel, calling them politically motivated. The term "apartheid" in reference to Israel has long been used by human rights organizations, Palestinian officials, and critics of Israeli policy toward Palestinians. Israel consistently rejects these allegations, asserting that they delegitimize the state and diminish the historical significance of South Africa’s racial segregation system.

The severing of contact with Kallas represents another diplomatic blow to relations between Israel and Brussels, which have been strained since the beginning of the Gaza war. This move underscores deep divisions within the European Union itself, where opinions on Israel’s actions vary significantly among member states. While some countries have expressed strong support for Israel, others have called for greater accountability and criticism of its military operations.

Kallas' comments were reportedly made during closed meetings with Mexican officials while discussing Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. She visited Mexico between May 20 and 22 as part of a high-level European delegation attending an international summit. According to media reports cited by Saar, Kallas made the comparison during these private discussions, highlighting concerns about Israel's conduct in the region.

This dispute occurs at a time when international scrutiny of Israel has intensified due to its actions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide lawsuit filed by South Africa and supported by several other countries before the International Court of Justice.

As tensions continue to rise, the implications of this diplomatic rupture remain unclear. However, it is evident that the situation reflects broader geopolitical challenges and the complex interplay of regional conflicts, international law, and global diplomacy. The response from both sides will likely shape future interactions and influence the trajectory of international relations in the Middle East.