Kaja Kallas’ critique against Israeli treatment of Palestinians gets mixed reactions

Written by journalist Danylo Aleksandrov

Kaja Kallas, who is the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, faced differentiating reactions at the Brussels summit after she allegedly compared the treatment of Palestinians by Israel to the treatment of black people in South Africa during apartheid.

Allegedly, during her visit to Mexico last month, Kallas privately described to EU diplomats the treatment of Palestinians by Israel as those resembling the practices in place during apartheid in South Africa. During the summit held in Brussels several European leaders were asked about this. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz when asked by journalists about this replied that he does not support this thought. A similar reaction came form Prime Minister of Slovenia Janez Janša, who said that he does not believe that the Israeli practices resemble apartheid.

But the reactions were not the same. For example the Prime Minister Micheál Martin supported the alleged remark by Kallas, saying that the Israeli actions are unacceptable. Kallas herself hasn’t given any commentary as of yet. Previously the EU High Representative voiced criticism of such actions as illegal Israeli settlement on the West Bank, saying that this makes two state solution harder to execute.

Kallas’ likening of Israeli actions to apartheid triggered a reaction from Israel authorities. The country’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that he had no choice but to end all contacts with Kallas, describing her criticism as unfounded lies.

This is the latest event that deepened the division between EU and Israel. More and more Europeans as well as their governments become critical of Israeli actions against the Palestinians, especially but not limited to Gaza. 20 EU members asked the European Commission to make proposals for restricting trade with illegal Israeli settlements during the last meeting of bloc members’ foreign ministers. Though the matter remains delicate, as European leaders remain divided on the issues connected to Israel.