Key facts
- European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica is in Jerusalem for a meeting with Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar.
- The meeting's details and agenda are not publicly disclosed.
- Šuica's cabinet and Israel's foreign affairs ministry have not commented on the meeting.
- The meeting occurs amid a diplomatic dispute between Sa'ar and EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas.
- Kallas reportedly compared Israel's treatment of Palestinians to apartheid.
European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica is in Jerusalem for a meeting with Israeli Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar. The press statement scheduled for Monday afternoon is shrouded in mystery, with the meeting not appearing on Šuica’s public calendar and her cabinet, as well as Israel’s foreign affairs ministry, not responding to requests for comment. Diplomatic sources in Brussels are also reportedly out of the loop regarding the occasion and its contents.
The meeting takes place amidst a widening diplomatic spat between Sa’ar and the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, who reportedly likened Israel’s treatment of Palestinians to apartheid South Africa. Sa’ar allegedly severed diplomatic channels until an explanation was provided, while Kallas has stressed the need for dialogue without confirming or denying the remarks.
In other news, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly weighing options to step down or face a leadership challenge from Labour rival Andy Burnham, with sources expecting a resignation announcement. This comes ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote and complicates the Labour Party’s stance on London-Brussels ties, potentially impacting an upcoming EU-UK summit.
The second EU-Moldova summit is also commencing in Brussels, hosted by European Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, with Moldovan President Maia Sandu in attendance. This follows the recent opening of formal negotiations for Moldova and Ukraine to join the European Union, specifically the challenging 'fundamentals cluster' covering rule of law and fundamental rights.
Separately, current and former Ukrainian officials are to return honors bestowed by Poland after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was stripped of Poland's highest state honor. This action by Poland's president, Karol Nawrocki, was in response to Zelenskyy naming a military unit after the controver