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Israel cuts contact with EU foreign policy chief over reported apartheid comparison

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the termination of all contact with Kaja Kallas on Thursday. The decision follows reports that the EU diplomat compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa. Sa'ar described her actions as obsessive and characterized by blatant unfairness.

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What changed

No new corroborated details have emerged since the initial report of the severed ties.

Live updates

  1. Israel severs ties with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas

    Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced the termination of all contact with Kaja Kallas on Thursday. The decision follows reports that the EU diplomat compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa. Sa'ar described her actions as obsessive and characterized by blatant unfairness.

    What's confirmed:

    • Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced Thursday that he is cutting all ties with Kaja Kallas.
    • Sa'ar accused the EU diplomat of acting with "blatant unfairness" and "obsessively."

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Kaja Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.
    confidence 90%

  2. Israel severs contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas

    Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced Thursday that he is cutting all ties with Kaja Kallas. The move follows reports that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa. Sa'ar accused the EU diplomat of acting with "blatant unfairness" and "obsessively."

    What's confirmed:

    • Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar severed all contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Thursday.
    • The decision follows reports that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.
    • Gideon Sa'ar accused Kaja Kallas of acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness.
    • Diplomatic relations between Israel and the EU have been strained since the Gaza war began in October 2023.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Gideon Sa'ar branded the apartheid comparison a blood libel.
    • Israel announced the severance of contact on June 18.
    • Kallas stated that dialogue with Israel remains necessary.
    confidence 90%

  3. Israel Maintains Cutoff of EU Foreign Policy Chief

    Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar is refusing to restore ties with Kaja Kallas. The boycott follows reports that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa. Sa'ar is demanding a retraction before resuming contact.

    What's confirmed:

    • Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar severed all contact with Kaja Kallas.
    • The decision stems from reports that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Kallas attempted to rectify the situation before Sa'ar rejected the response.
    • Sa'ar is boycotting Kallas until she issues a retraction.
    confidence 90%

  4. Israel halts contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas

    Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has cut all ties with Kaja Kallas. The decision follows reports that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa during a visit to Mexico. Kallas has not publicly denied or addressed the specific comments.

    What's confirmed:

    • Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar cut all contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
    • The move follows reports that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid South Africa.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Kallas made the apartheid comparison while in Mexico.
    • Kallas compared Israel's treatment of Palestinians to South Africa's former apartheid regime.
    confidence 90%

  5. Israel Severs Contact With EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas

    Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has cut all contact with EU diplomat Kaja Kallas. The move follows reports that Kallas compared Israel to apartheid-era South Africa. Kallas has not confirmed the remarks but stated the EU remains committed to constructive ties with Israel.

    What's confirmed:

    • Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar severed all contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
    • Sa'ar described the reported remarks as a "blood libel".
    • Sa'ar accused Kallas of "acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness" toward Israel.
    • Kaja Kallas stated the EU is committed to "constructive" ties with Israel.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • Kaja Kallas compared Israel's treatment of Palestinians to apartheid in South Africa.
    • The UN rights office found that Israel is violating international laws that prohibit apartheid.
    confidence 90%