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Israel’s Foreign Minister Cuts Ties Over Kallas’ Apartheid Comment

6/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he will cut contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas after the alleged apartheid remark.
Kaja Kallas responded on X stressing dialogue and the EU’s two-state solution policy without directly denying the claim.
Euractiv reported unnamed officials said Kallas made the comment during a May visit to Mexico, with EU ambassador Michael Mann noting the EU does not label Israel an apartheid state.

History

Historical Context

The 1975 UN General Assembly vote—72 for, 35 against, 32 abstaining—declared Zionism a form of racism, prompting Israel’s UNESCO expulsion and a lasting diplomatic rift. Revoked in 1991, the episode showed how charged terminology can strain relations. Today, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar warns EU president Kaja Kallas of cutting ties after her apartheid comment, echoing that historic fallout.

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Story summary

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said he will cut contact with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas after the alleged apartheid remark.
Kaja Kallas responded on X stressing dialogue and the EU’s two-state solution policy without directly denying the claim.
Euractiv reported unnamed officials said Kallas made the comment during a May visit to Mexico, with EU ambassador Michael Mann noting the EU does not label Israel an apartheid state.

1 / 2