Criticism of Israel's Gaza policy is dismissed by the country's foreign minister
In a recent interview, Gideon Saar, Israel's Foreign Minister, expressed his views on the ongoing situation in Gaza. Saar praised Germany's stance as rational and asserted that it is the only leading country that still acts rationally regarding the situation in Gaza.
Saar criticized some international states, particularly European countries, and Hamas regarding aid deliveries to Gaza. He argued that while Israel allows humanitarian aid, including fuel, to enter Gaza facilities such as hospitals and water installations, Hamas exploits these deliveries for its own benefit rather than genuinely helping civilians. Saar explicitly stated that the only problem with aid delivery is Hamas’s misuse of the aid, as seen in the past 21 months.
Saar has also rejected Western criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza as "ridiculous" and "disproportionate". He expressed regret that some EU leaders signed letters urging an immediate end to the war and criticizing Israel's handling of aid. Saar noted that many European countries face internal pressures due to large Muslim populations influencing government policies, but insisted that Israel would not "commit suicide" by yielding to such pressure.
Saar defended Israel's position by asserting that it has responded with facts and explanations to the EU's proposed retaliatory measures against Israel, such as suspending visa-free travel and blocking imports from settlements. He described these measures as "extremely distorted".
Counterarguments to Saar’s criticism generally emphasize severe humanitarian concerns in Gaza, where according to the UN, one-third of Gazans suffer from hunger and health services face shutdown due to fuel shortages. Humanitarian organizations and critics argue that Israel’s restrictions significantly hamper aid flow, contributing to civilian suffering. Some international actors view Israel’s actions and aid restrictions as exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, regardless of Hamas’s conduct.
Despite these criticisms, Saar maintains that Israel facilitates aid but Hamas’s actions undermine its effectiveness. He stated that it is Israel's duty to facilitate the departure of Palestinians who wish to leave the country. Saar also expressed Israel's intention to continue the war until all hostages are returned and Hamas is destroyed.
Saar attributed the critical situation in Gaza to Hamas, claiming that Hamas was looting UN aid supplies and using these resources to recruit new terrorists and continue the war. However, a report by the "New York Times" citing Israeli military leaders stated that there was no evidence that Hamas was systematically stealing UN aid in Gaza.
In summary, Saar maintains that Israel facilitates aid but Hamas’s actions undermine its effectiveness, while he contests Western criticism and EU measures as biased and unfair. Critics, however, highlight the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza linked to Israeli restrictions despite Sáar’s assurances of aid access.
- Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized some international states, particularly European countries, over their handling of aid to Gaza, asserting that Israel allows humanitarian aid but Hamas misuses it, causing problems with aid delivery.
- Despite the criticism facing Israel's military operations in Gaza and its restrictions on aid, Minister Saar defended Israel's position, arguing that it has responded with facts and explanations to EU's proposed retaliatory measures, labelling these measures as "extremely distorted" in policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news.
