EditKaja Kallas faces Israeli boycott amid apartheid controversy and turf wars
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar announced he will cut off all contact with Kallas until she retracts "the slanderous accusation"
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar announced on 18 June that he was cutting all contacts with the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas, citing reports that she compared Israel’s policies toward Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to South Africa’s apartheid regime.
This marked a significant escalation in diplomatic friction between Israel and the European Union, representing one of the sharpest public ruptures in recent memory.
In her present capacity, Kallas, a former Estonian Prime Minister, cannot complain about a lack of enemies. There is a lot of hate instilled by Russia against her because of her defence of Ukraine, and from her own ranks President von der Leyen is stepping on her toes, engaging in diplomatic arenas, traditionally reserved for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
The Financial Times has reported that France and Germany, along with several other EU capitals, are discussing a radical overhaul of the European External Action Service (EEAS), the bloc’s diplomatic arm headed by Kallas. The goal is reportedly to strengthen the EU’s ability to respond to an increasing number of geopolitical crises.
EU pushes major overhaul of its diplomatic service amid leadership jealousies
Did Kallas compare Israeli policy with apartheid?
Sa’ar made the announcement via a post on X, accusing Kallas of having “for some time now been acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness toward the State of Israel.” He referenced a Euractiv report detailing remarks allegedly made by Kallas during closed-door meetings with Mexican officials in late May. According to the report, she drew parallels between Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and the apartheid system that once defined South Africa. Sa’ar expressed appreciation for European politicians who had already condemned the statements but noted Kallas’s failure to deny or clarify them publicly.
“As Israel’s Foreign Minister, I have no choice but to cut off all contact with Ms. Kallas until she retracts the slanderous accusation against the only Jewish state, which is also the only democracy in the Middle East,” Sa’ar declared. He described the alleged comments as a “blood libel,” underscoring the depth of Israeli outrage.
The EU’s response was cautious. A spokesman for the European External Action Service declined to confirm or deny the specific allegations, attributing them to anonymous sources, while emphasizing that Kallas’s public positions on the Middle East conflict had been clearly articulated in recent weeks. EU diplomats, speaking behind the scenes, have expressed concerns that Estonia’s Kallas may occasionally stray from a unified EU line, contributing to perceptions of inconsistency in Brussels’ foreign policy.
In response to Sa’ar, Kallas posted on X without directly addressing the apartheid allegation: “Dear Gideon, as you know, the EU and Israel have a lot that binds us. I value our dialogue and engagement, and I’m open to continue in that spirit, respectfully and constructively. Dialogue is the foundation of diplomacy, especially when differences arise. The EU is always committed to a constructive relationship with Israel. To bring peace to the Middle East, the Two-State Solution remains the only viable path. The EU has condemned the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank that make it increasingly difficult to get to that goal. That is the EU position.”
Sa’ar quickly replied, noting that her message still failed to deny the reported comments and reiterating his decision to maintain the freeze until clarification.
This latest controversy is not isolated. Kallas, who assumed her role in 2024, inherited a relationship already marked by decades of strain. Israeli officials had initially viewed her appointment as a potential fresh start following the tenure of Josep Borrell, whose strongly critical stance toward Israel had exacerbated tensions. However, underlying issues persisted, echoing disputes from earlier EU foreign policy chiefs like Catherine Ashton and Federica Mogherini.
A longstanding flashpoint has been the EU’s 2015 guidelines on labeling products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which Israel viewed as discriminatory. This led to the suspension of high-level political dialogue. Broader divergences, including the EU’s commitment to a two-state solution and criticism of settlement expansion, have further complicated ties. Events such as the U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem under Donald Trump highlighted divisions even within the EU, with countries like Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Romania often taking more Israel-friendly positions.
Kallas’s term has included condemnations of antisemitism alongside support for Israel’s right to self-defense after the 7 October 2023 attacks. Yet Israeli authorities accuse her of advancing measures like sanctions on settlers and certain ministers, and partial suspensions of trade elements. These actions occur against the backdrop of the ongoing Gaza conflict and stalled peace efforts.
Gaffes eroding credibility
Kallas’s handling of the Israel dispute has drawn additional scrutiny due to other recent missteps. In late May, she claimed during a press interaction that while European embassies remained in Kyiv amid Russian threats, “America left.” The assertion, intended to highlight European resolve, proved inaccurate – the U.S. embassy had not evacuated. Both Washington and Kyiv pushed back swiftly, forcing Brussels to issue a correction and describe it as a misunderstanding. For a diplomat who positions herself as a champion against disinformation, the error was particularly ironic and damaging to her credibility.
Fighting disinformation is an uphill battle, especially when EU leaders forget to check the facts
Such incidents fuel broader questions about her performance. Reports suggest dissatisfaction among some EU member states regarding her leadership of the European External Action Service, including perceived gaffes and internal coordination issues. Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, for instance, has publicly dismissed her statements on Ukraine support as “sad” and “worthless,” criticizing what he sees as unrealistic Brussels posturing amid U.S. and Russian negotiations.
The episode underscores deeper challenges for EU diplomacy. Once a respected mediator in global affairs, including the Iran nuclear deal, the EU now struggles for influence amid great-power competition. Divisions among member states, ranging from staunch supporters of Israel like Germany and Hungary to more critical voices in Spain and Ireland, undermine unified action.
As the dust settles from the latest public spat, the incident highlights not just bilateral tensions but systemic issues in how the EU projects its foreign policy.
ources: Reuters, Times of Israel, Euronews, Deutsche Welle
Caption: European Union’s High Representative or Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas reacts as she arrives for the European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, 18 June 2026. European leaders are gathering in Brussels for a two-day meeting packed with pressing geopolitical and economic issues. EPA/OLIVIER MATTHYS
Updated: June 19, 2026 - 11:45
