Sa’ar on sanctions threat: ‘Britain is heading in the wrong direction for domestic political reasons’
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar addressed the possibility of the European Union and Britain imposing sanctions on Israeli settlements in an interview with France 24, saying Israel has “a right to live on our land.” He said the dispute between Israel and Europe over the issue has existed since 1967 under every Israeli government.
Sa’ar particularly criticized Britain, saying it was “heading in the wrong direction for domestic political reasons” and warning that anti-Israel measures during an election would turn the issue into a domestic political matter in Israel. Addressing violence in Judea and Samaria, he said no one has the right to break the law.
On Gaza, Sa’ar said Israel has linked the enclave’s reconstruction to its demilitarization. He said Hamas continues to control Palestinians in Gaza and refuses to disarm, thereby blocking the agreement, adding that he remains skeptical of Hamas because “it is a terrorist organization.”
