Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, saying her plan to sanction Israeli ministers and suspend parts of the EU’s association agreement with Israel is “regrettable” and risks emboldening Hamas.
“The President of the European Commission’s comments this morning are regrettable.
Once again, Europe conveys the wrong message that strengthens Hamas and the radical axis in the Middle East,” Sa’ar wrote on X.
Von der Leyen, addressing the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday, had said, “Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war,” citing allegations that Israel’s war strategy has contributed to widespread hunger in Gaza.
Sa’ar rejected that account, accusing the Commission chief of repeating “false propaganda of Hamas and its partners.”
“The President is well aware of Israel’s efforts to assist the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” Sa’ar continued, pointing to what he described as progress on the ground, including a “dramatic decline in the prices of basic goods in Gaza.”
He added that the “suffering in Gaza is entirely the work of Hamas,” citing the terror group’s October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the ongoing war, as well as its refusal to release hostages.
Israeli foreign minister says EU ‘sending wrong message’ with planned sanctions
