Kallas Urges Dialogue as Israel Severs Ties Over Comments

WHO:

Euronews - Kaja Kallas is the EU's top diplomat and former Estonian prime minister.

Ynetnews - Gideon Sa'ar is the Israeli foreign minister.

WHAT:

DW.com - Gideon Saar stated he had "no choice but to sever all contact" with Kaja Kallas until she retracts the "blood libel" directed at Israel.

Politico - Kaja Kallas emphasized that the EU is "always committed" to a constructive relationship with Israel and reiterated that the two-state solution is the "only viable path" to peace in the Middle East.

Ynetnews - Saar expressed gratitude to "the many European elected officials who rejected and condemned these grave remarks" attributed to Kallas.

Euronews - Kaja Kallas stated that she values "dialogue and engagement" with Israel and emphasized the EU's commitment to a "constructive relationship."

Ynetnews - Gideon Sa'ar accused Kaja Kallas of acting "obsessively and with disgraceful unfairness against the State of Israel."

The Times of Israel - Sa'ar expressed gratitude to "the many European elected representatives who condemned this grave statement."

Politico - Sa'ar described Kallas' remarks as a "blood libel" directed at Israel.

Euronews - Kaja Kallas stated that the EU has condemned the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank that make it increasingly difficult to achieve a two-state solution.

Ynetnews - Gideon Sa'ar described Kaja Kallas as having acted "obsessively and with disgraceful unfairness against the State of Israel."

The Times of Israel - Sa'ar expressed gratitude to many European elected representatives who condemned Kallas' remarks.

Euronews - Gideon Sa'ar announced he had "no choice but to sever all contact" with Kaja Kallas over her reported comments comparing Israel to South Africa's apartheid regime.

Ynetnews - Sa'ar stated that Kallas has not denied, clarified, or addressed the remarks attributed to her.

Euronews - Kallas emphasized the EU's commitment to a "constructive relationship" with Israel and stated that the EU position is that a two-state solution is the "only viable path" to peace in the Middle East.

Ynetnews - Sa'ar referred to Kallas' comments as a "blood libel" against Israel.

WHERE:

Euronews - Kaja Kallas made the reported remark during a trip to Mexico.

Ynetnews - The diplomatic clash occurred between Israel and the European Union.

WHEN:

Euronews - The reported comments were made during Kallas' trip to Mexico in May.

Euronews - The UN General Assembly voted in September, with 142 countries in favor of a two-state solution.

WHY:

Euronews - Sa'ar's decision to sever ties was based on Kallas' failure to respond to the comments attributed to her, which he deemed severe.

HOW:

Euronews - Kallas attempted to mend relations by stating she values "dialogue and engagement" with Israel, but did not address the reported apartheid comment.

The Times of Israel - Sa'ar's decision to sever contact with Kallas was made public through a post on social media, where he outlined his reasons for the action.

Ynetnews - Sa'ar's announcement was made via social media, where he expressed his reasons for cutting off contact with Kallas.

(UPDATED June 19, 2026 06:42 UTC)

Gideon Saar announced he had "no choice but to sever all contact" with Kaja Kallas until she retracts what he called the "blood libel" against Israel, expressing gratitude to European officials who condemned her remarks. In response, Kallas emphasized the EU's commitment to a constructive relationship with Israel and reiterated that the two-state solution is the "only viable path" to peace in the Middle East. While Kallas attempted to mend relations by highlighting her value for "dialogue and engagement" with Israel, she did not address the reported apartheid comment that sparked the controversy.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 19:46 UTC)

Kaja Kallas has expressed her commitment to "dialogue and engagement" with Israel, highlighting the EU's desire for a "constructive relationship." In response, Gideon Sa'ar accused her of acting "obsessively and with disgraceful unfairness" towards Israel, labeling her remarks as a "blood libel" and thanking European representatives who condemned her statement. Sa'ar publicly announced his decision to sever contact with Kallas through a social media post, detailing his reasons for this action.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 18:02 UTC)

Kaja Kallas has announced that the EU has condemned the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which complicate the pursuit of a two-state solution. In response, Gideon Sa'ar criticized Kallas for her remarks, calling her actions "obsessively and with disgraceful unfairness against the State of Israel," and expressed gratitude to European representatives who supported his stance. Sa'ar's decision to cut ties with Kallas was shared on social media, where he detailed his reasons for this significant move.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 14:08 UTC)

Gideon Sa'ar, the Israeli foreign minister, announced that he had "no choice but to sever all contact" with Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, due to her reported comments comparing Israel to South Africa's apartheid regime. Sa'ar criticized Kallas for not addressing or clarifying her remarks, which he labeled as a "blood libel" against Israel, while Kallas emphasized the EU's commitment to a "constructive relationship" with Israel and the importance of a two-state solution for peace in the Middle East. The diplomatic clash unfolded after Kallas made her controversial comments during a trip to Mexico, leading to Sa'ar's decision to cut ties, which he shared via social media.