EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas faces mounting criticism over Israel remarks

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has come under intense scrutiny after reports that she likened Israel’s actions to the apartheid system in South Africa. German leaders, including Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Bundestag foreign‑affairs committee chair Armin Laschet, publicly rebuked the comment and called for her resignation. Israel severed diplomatic contacts with Kallas in June 2026 following the allegations.

The dispute has spilled into a broader debate over who controls EU foreign policy. Kallas’ strained relationship with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was highlighted at a recent gathering of EU foreign ministers, where issues such as the Ukraine war, the Black Sea strategy and Middle‑East tensions were on the agenda. Critics note that the High Representative’s authority is limited by the need for unanimous decisions among member states, constraining her ability to act independently. The controversy is further amplified by references to external actors, such as former US President Donald Trump, who is said to be attempting to divide the EU.

The episode underscores ongoing internal tensions within the EU over the balance of power in its external actions and the diplomatic fallout from contentious statements about Israel.