As reported by the Reuters news agency, the Vice President of the European Union and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas responded to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar's decision to suspend official contacts with her.
Kallas noted that the European Union remains committed to constructive relations with Israel and values dialogue.
At the same time, she reiterated her position, emphasizing that "the only viable path to peace in the Middle East remains the two-state solution, and illegal settlements in the West Bank hinder the achievement of this goal."
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar issued a renewed harsh statement directed at the EU representative.
The reason for the boycott from Jerusalem was Kallas's recent closed remarks in Mexico, where she reportedly compared Israel's policies to an apartheid regime.
Due to these accusations, Sa'ar announced a complete cessation of interaction with the head of European diplomacy and demanded public clarity from her.
In his response, the Israeli minister indicated that Kallas evaded a direct answer and did not refute the rhetoric attributed to her, which "speaks volumes in itself."
"If you indeed made these defamatory statements - take responsibility for them. If not - refute them," Sa'ar addressed the head of European diplomacy.
He added that his decision to freeze any contacts with Kallas will remain in effect until the situation surrounding her words about "apartheid" is fully clarified.
The minister also reminded that such formulations categorically do not align with the official position of the European Union itself.
It is expected that until official clarifications are received from Kaja Kallas's office, diplomatic relations between the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the leadership of European diplomacy will be conducted exclusively in a limited working format at the technical agency level.
Earlier, Bb.lv reported that Paris and Berlin want to abolish Kaja Kallas's position in the European Commission.
