Brussels — The European Union’s senior diplomat signaled a desire to keep lines of communication open with Israel following a decision by Israel’s foreign minister to suspend direct engagement. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said he was cutting all contact with the EU diplomat, prompting a response from the EU.
In a message posted on X, Kaja Kallas addressed Saar directly, saying she values the dialogue and engagement between them and remains willing to continue conversations in a respectful and constructive manner. The post underlined that, despite the halt in formal contact announced by Saar, Kallas seeks to preserve a working relationship with Israeli counterparts.
Kallas used the public message to restate the European Union’s core policy positions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to a two-state solution, describing it as the only viable path to secure peace in the Middle East. In the same post, she reiterated the bloc’s position that settlements in the West Bank are illegal and that they complicate prospects for achieving a two-state outcome.
The sequence of statements began with the Israeli foreign minister’s announcement that all contact with Kallas would be cut. In response, Kallas opted to address him directly on social media, emphasizing both the value she places on their past engagement and her readiness to continue talks under terms she characterized as respectful and constructive.
While the exchange is framed around the personal diplomatic channel between the EU’s top diplomat and Israel’s foreign minister, Kallas’ comments also served to reinforce the European Union’s policy framework on settlements and the two-state solution. She repeated the EU stance that settlements are illegal and that their expansion undermines the feasibility of a negotiated two-state resolution.
The public nature of the exchanges — an Israeli announcement to suspend contact followed by a direct post from Kallas on X — highlights a diplomatic standoff at the level of messaging and engagement. Kallas’ statement emphasizes continuity in the EU’s positions and an openness to resume respectful, constructive dialogue should circumstances allow.
Summary
Kaja Kallas said the EU wants to maintain constructive relations with Israel after Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar announced he would cut all contact with her. She addressed Saar on X, affirmed the EU commitment to a two-state solution, and reiterated that West Bank settlements are illegal and hinder prospects for a two-state outcome.