EU commissioner urges early Gaza recovery in talks with Israeli minister

European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica discussed EU-Israel relations, regional stability and Gaza’s recovery with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar. Suica emphasized the urgent need to advance early recovery in Gaza and said continued EU-Israel cooperation is essential to delivering projects that restore social and economic services, rebuild infrastructure and strengthen governance. She also highlighted the need for a reformed and functioning Palestinian Authority to support Gaza’s recovery. The EU continues to criticize Israel’s conduct in the war and settlement expansion in the West Bank while affirming Israel’s right to defend itself, but its 27 member states remain divided over policy toward Israel. Tensions have also persisted since Sa’ar said in June that he was ending contact with EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas over remarks he attributed to her comparing Israel with apartheid-era South Africa.