ISRAEL FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS EU OFFICIALS IN BRUSSELS-Saar says Israeli relations must not be held hostage to the conflict.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called for a constructive dialogue with some European countries as he arrived for talks on Monday in Brussels.
The Israeli minister met senior European officials, reviving a dialogue with the European Union as the bloc considers a role in the reconstruction of Gaza following last month’s fragile ceasefire deal.
Saar co-chaired a meeting of the EU-Israel Association Council with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in the first such session since 2022, with talks focusing on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Israeli-Palestinian relations and changing regional dynamics.
The Israeli foreign minister said that “there are very friendly countries, there are less friendly countries”, within the EU, adding that Monday’s meeting showed a willingness to renew normal relations.
The Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, and Israel’s response, exposed sharp divisions within the EU. While all members condemned the Hamas attacks, some staunchly defended Israel’s war in Gaza as others were opposed to Israel’s military retaliation.
