JAKARTA - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Thursday he had decided to cut off all contact with European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, accusing her of comparing Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.
In a post on the US social media platform X, Foreign Minister Saar accused Kallas of acting "too obsessively and with blatant injustice" against Israel.
"Recently, during his visit to Mexico, he (Kallas) compared Israel to the racist apartheid regime in South Africa," Sa'ar wrote, launching Anadolu (19/6).
"I have no choice but to decide all contact with Mrs. Kallas until she withdraws the vile slander she directed" at Israel, Sa'ar continued.
"Until now, there has been no denial, clarification, or response issued by him regarding this harsh statement," he added.
Foreign Minister Sa'ar said he appreciated the members of the European Parliament who had condemned the reported statement, but criticized Kallas for not responding publicly.
According to media reports quoted by Sa'ar, Kallas made the comparison during a closed-door meeting with Mexican officials while discussing Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Kallas visited Mexico between May 20 and 22 as part of a high-level European delegation attending an international summit.
The dispute comes amid growing international criticism of Israel over its offensive in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a case of genocide before the International Court of Justice filed by South Africa and supported by several other countries.
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