European commissioner discusses EU-Israel relationship, Gaza with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar

The EU's 27 member ⁠states are divided on Israel, with some highly critical of the country and others maintaining close ties.

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica discussed the European Union's relationship with Israel, regional stability, and Gaza recovery efforts with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar on Sunday, the commissioner announced.

Suica said in a post on X/Twitter after the call that they discussed EU-Israel "relations and our shared interest in security and stability across the Middle East. This includes a reformed and functioning Palestinian Authority."

On Gaza, "I focused on the urgent need to advance early recovery," she said, adding that "our continued cooperation is key to delivering early recovery projects on the ground."

The commissioner announced in July that the EU and like-minded partners launched an initiative to help fund Gaza's early recovery focused on restoring essential social and economic services, rehabilitating critical infrastructure and strengthening governance.

The EU has criticized Israel's conduct ​in the war in Gaza while reaffirming Israel's right to defend itself. It has also criticized Israel's expansion of Jewish settlements in the West Bank, viewed by the EU as an obstacle to Israeli-Palestinian peace and the establishment of a Palestinian state.

EU states divided on Israel

But the ​EU's 27 member ⁠states are divided, with some highly critical of Israel and others maintaining close ties.

Sa'ar said in June that he was severing "all contact" with EU foreign policy chief Kaja ‌Kallas over what he said were remarks attributed to her comparing Israel to apartheid-era South Africa.