On Baltic trip, Sa’ar says Israel in dialogue with EU on Gaza aid, desires peace with Syria and ‘all neighbors’

During a three-day visit to the Baltic states, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calls Israel an “asset” to Europe and the Western world, and addresses potential cooperation on the humanitarian situation in Gaza as well as efforts to expand normalization between Israel and its neighbors.

At a joint press conference in Vilnius with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys, Sa’ar says, “Israel is a strategic partner for Europe – especially for Lithuania. Israel is an asset for Europe and the Western world in the Middle East.”

Sa’ar says Israel’s campaign against Iran last month is part of “a broader struggle between the free world and the radical axis of terror” led by Tehran and its proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and other regional terror groups, and backed by “the authoritarian axis: China, Russia, and North Korea.”

He says Israeli and US strikes set back Iran’s nuclear program “by many years,” and damaged missiles “capable of reaching Europe” and Iran’s drone supply, which he noted is “the very same technology being used by Russia, with Iranian help, in its war against Ukraine.”

On the humanitarian situation in Gaza, Sa’ar says Israel is today holding talks with European Union representatives in Israel about the issue: “I can say that today… a dialogue is beginning in Jerusalem between the EU delegation in Israel with an effort to not only exchange views but maybe to see how we can work together to improve the situation. We are open… we don’t want Hamas to use the humanitarian aid as an economic asset…but we want it directly to go to the people of Gaza, and since we share the same goals, we might find, maybe, new ways to do it.”

Asked about ongoing talks for a potential peace deal with Syria, Sa’ar says, “We would like to have all our neighbors… in the camp of normalization and peace in the region and with Israel. That includes Syria, as much as it includes [Saudi Arabia], as much as it includes Lebanon.”

“It is too early to judge what will happen,” he adds, noting that Israel has certain “security needs” and demands, “but… all the nations in this region have a lot to gain from normalization and good relations between us and them.” He cites strong ties with the United Arab Emirates as an example: “We have great trade relations, growing even through this war.”

“Israel has much to contribute to Lithuania,” Sa’ar adds, noting cooperation in trade, tech, and defense as a handful of pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate outside the venue.

His trip includes visits to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, where he will meet senior officials, including the Estonian prime minister and Latvian president.