Saar Slams Kallas Over ‘Obsessive Campaign Against Israel’ After EU Trade Sanctions Fail

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has criticized EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, accusing her of an “obsessive campaign against Israel” after the EU failed to agree on trade sanctions targeting Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria. The proposed sanctions, which Jerusalem views as an attempt to pressure and isolate Israel, did not achieve consensus or a qualified majority among member states. Saar stated, “There was no consensus. There was no qualified majority. In fact, there was no majority at all.” Kallas, who has served as EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy since December 2024, referred the measure to the Committee of Permanent Representatives (COREPER) in an attempt to revive the proposal. This latest setback follows previous failed attempts to impose economic pressure on Israel, with deep divisions among the bloc’s 27 member states regarding policy toward the country. Relations between Jerusalem and Kallas have deteriorated, with Israel previously cutting official contact with her office after reports that she privately compared Israeli policies to those of apartheid-era South Africa.