Kaja Kallas is facing renewed criticism over remarks reportedly comparing Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to apartheid-era South Africa, adding to wider disputes over her leadership of European foreign policy institutions, reports Euractiv.
According to reports from diplomats and officials who were present at private meetings in Mexico City in May, Kallas made the comparison during discussions with Mexican government representatives. The comments were said to have been influenced by her previous visit to South Africa’s apartheid museum in Johannesburg.
The comparison is highly controversial within Europe. While some governments, including those of Spain and Ireland, have expressed stronger criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza, the European Union has generally avoided officially describing Israel’s policies as apartheid. Countries such as Germany and France have rejected such characterisations.
The debate is linked to the case brought by South Africa against Israel before the International Court of Justice, which alleges violations of the Genocide Convention during the war in Gaza.
Kallas has repeatedly stated that Israel has the right to defend itself following the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023, while also arguing that its military response must remain proportionate. She has also criticised Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying they undermine prospects for a two-state solution.
Several EU diplomats have expressed concern that the alleged remarks do not reflect agreed EU policy. One diplomat described the comparison as unacceptable and warned that it creates difficulties when Kallas is representing all 27 EU member states internationally.
Kallas’s office declined to comment publicly on the reports and did not confirm or deny the remarks.
The controversy follows other diplomatic criticism directed at Kallas. At a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Cyprus in May, she incorrectly stated that American diplomats had left Kyiv following Russian threats of major attacks on the Ukrainian capital. The statement was later shown to be inaccurate.
These incidents have intensified internal debates over the role and effectiveness of the European External Action Service, which Kallas leads as the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and a Vice-President of the European Commission.
Officials from several member states, including France, Germany, Sweden, Finland and Ireland, have reportedly raised concerns about her diplomatic approach and the broader direction of EU foreign policy.
Some European diplomats have also questioned whether the current structure of the EU’s diplomatic service is functioning effectively, particularly at a time of increased geopolitical uncertainty and changing international relationships.
In response to the criticism, Kallas defended the existing institutional structure, stating in a message to staff that the roles and responsibilities of EU institutions are clearly defined by the EU treaties and that this framework remains unchanged.
Photo credit: Instagram/Kaja Kallas
More News
