From Sa’ar says EU chief ‘sending wrong message’ with planned sanctions
Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar calls European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement that the Commission will propose sanctioning Israeli ministers and a partial suspension of the EU’s association agreement with Israel “regrettable,” saying her remarks strengthen Hamas and ignore Israel’s efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“The President of the European Commission’s comments this morning are regrettable,” Sa’ar writes on X. “Once again, Europe conveys the wrong message that strengthens Hamas and the radical axis in the Middle East.”
Von der Leyen had said, “Man-made famine can never be a weapon of war,” referring to allegations of widespread starvation in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israel refusing to ensure aid distribution as part of its war strategy.
Sa’ar rejects her account, writing that some of her statements “are also tainted by echoing the false propaganda of Hamas and its partners.”
The President of the European Commission's comments this morning are regrettable. Some of them are also tainted by echoing the false propaganda of Hamas and its partners.
Once again, Europe conveys the wrong message that strengthens Hamas and the radical axis in the Middle East.…— Gideon Sa'ar | גדעון סער (@gidonsaar) September 10, 2025
“The President is well aware of Israel’s efforts” to assist the humanitarian situation in Gaza,” the foreign minister continues, writing that progress is “evident on the ground, including by the dramatic decline in the prices of basic goods in Gaza.”
He adds that “the suffering in Gaza is entirely the work of Hamas,” pointing to the terror group’s October 7, 2023, massacre that sparked the ongoing war, and its refusal to release hostages.
The Times of Israel Community.