Israel faces Portuguese call for firmer EU pressure over alleged apartheid remarks

Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Sa’ar, announced he will cut all contacts with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, after reports that she likened Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank to South Africa’s former apartheid system. Sa’ar said the step will remain in place until the alleged “defamation” is withdrawn, noting no response had been received from Kallas.

In Portugal, Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel told a parliamentary committee that the European Union should adopt a “firmer” stance toward Israel. Rangel criticised the EU’s failure to sanction Israeli far‑right ministers Itamar Ben‑Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, describing them as a “disruptive factor” that could jeopardise regional stability. He urged the EU to use its pressure tools to address what he called growing radicalisation in Israel.