Sa’ar: Danish PM’s remarks on Netanyahu are ‘insult,’ threat of sanctions ‘will have no effect’

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar says that the Danish premier’s recent criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was an “insult” to the “Israeli democratic system,” and that threats of sanctions by the European Union member state “will have no effect on Israel at all.”

Speaking in an interview with the Danish daily Jyllands-Posten, Sa’ar responds to comments Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen made in the same paper on Friday, when she said Netanyahu had become “a problem,” and Israel would be better off without him in charge – though she clarified that was ultimately up to Israelis themselves.

Frederiksen pointed to violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, the government’s opposition to a two-state solution, and Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

In reply, Sa’ar tells the paper: “Honestly, disagreements between friends are fine. And we regard the Danish prime minister as a friend. But to say about a democratically elected prime minister that he has become a problem – that insults not only the prime minister, but the entire Israeli democratic system.”

Sa’ar also dismisses Frederiksen’s comment that she would not rule out sanctions to increase pressure on Netanyahu or Israel.

“Pressure will not affect Israel at all. We are used to being under pressure. So we will not be influenced by others when it comes to our national security. We will not change policy. If we bend to pressure, it would be suicidal for us, and it would also harm European interests,” he says.

Frederikson stated that she was prepared to use Denmark’s role as holder of the EU presidency to “increase the pressure on Israel,” possibly through sanctions on Netanyahu and other government figures, West Bank settlers, or on trade or research cooperation.

Asked if Frederiksen could say anything that would change Israel’s approach, Sa’ar responds: “We always listen to our friends, and I have also had discussions with the [Danish] foreign minister about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We have taken significant steps on the humanitarian front in recent months.”

But on security issues related to Israel’s war in Gaza, he stresses that Israel will not be swayed: “It is not that we don’t listen to criticism…But I tell you – and I think this is commonly known – that military experts have already said that when you look at the ratio of civilian casualties, you have to consider how many terrorists have been eliminated. This is a terrorist state. You have a choice: either you surrender to terrorism, or you fight it,” he says.

Sa’ar also praises Denmark for not joining other Western allies in recognizing a Palestinian state, noting Frederiksen’s remark that Hamas “controls much of the territory” in Gaza.