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Israeli colonialism entrenched an apartheid system. The reality has been documented multiple times and acknowledged even within Israel, most prominently by the non-governmental organisation B’Tselem in 2021. Recently, the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas was reported to have used the term apartheid during a visit to Mexico. Kallas has made several contradictory statements since the start of the genocide which reflect both the EU’s lack of political cohesion over sanctioning Israel, as well as the underlying concern to safeguard Israel’s impunity.
However, Kallas’s remark comparing Israel to South African apartheid, has been blown out of proportion and out of all realms of credibility by Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, who expressed displeasure at Kallas’s comment and blatantly called Israel “the only democracy in the Middle East”. Not even the world’s former colonial powers truly believe that statement, despite how times it is publicly uttered and endorsed. Former colonial powers recognise colonialism when they see it.
Kallas’s response to Sa’ar stating he will sever all contact was replete with the usual contradictions, except for the assertion that “The EU is always committed to a constructive relationship with Israel.” Other than that, prioritising the two-state paradigm as the only solution, while noting that the implementation is becoming impossible due to illegal settlement construction, represents the usual EU position, as reflected in Kallas’s post on X.
READ: Gaza shifts US politics as pro-Israel lobby suffers setback in New York primaries
The two-state is not a solution, and it is not just settlement expansion that makes the two-state obsolete. It is colonialism, which the entire world refuses to address, in order to maintain Israel’s presence in Palestine.
The diplomatic spat is nothing but a useless spectacle. Israel revels in finding inconsequential distractions, many of them diplomatic, that briefly shift attention away from more pressing issues, such as the fact that Palestinians in Gaza remain forcibly displaced despite all the talk of reconstruction.
Kallas, meanwhile, responded with the usual statements that reassure Israel of the EU’s commitment to safeguarding colonialism, despite the visible purported disagreements. Sa’ar, for example, accused Kallas of “acting obsessively and with blatant unfairness towards the State of Israel”, yet the only unfairness has been solely directed against the Palestinian people.
Colonialism is abnormal, and the EU supports it. Why, for example, did Kallas seek to placate Sa’ar instead of taking a firmer stance against Israel’s apartheid system? An utterance by a high ranking official could have been followed by at least a stronger assertion, not to mention that the EU could take political, diplomatic and economic measures that directly target Israel. Instead, the rhetoric is shifted to the two-state paradigm, which is obsolete and which Israel opposes. So much for Kallas being described as anti-Israel, when the response to Sa’ar’s complaint was to find common ground for further Israeli colonial expansion.
Israel implemented apartheid, and it also committed genocide. In light of Kallas’s unofficial comment, the EU’s Ambassador to Israel Michael Mann told the Jerusalem Post, “It is not the official policy of the European Union that Israel is an apartheid state. I want to make that absolutely clear.”
It is absolutely clear. So much that there is no need for clarification, not even when a diplomatic dispute arises.
BLOG: Symbolism for Palestinians is impunity for Israeli colonialism
The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.
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![US President Donald Trump holds a press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, shortly after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on April 25, 2026. [Celal Güneş - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/AA-20260426-41212719-41212702-US_PRESIDENT_DONALD_TRUMP_SPEAKS_IN_WASHINGTON_DC.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
US President Donald Trump holds a press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, shortly after a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25, 2026. [Celal Güneş – Anadolu Agency]
US President Donald Trump said Turkey had been a potential participant in the war on Iran’s side.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “was a prime candidate to go into the war with Iran — maybe on the Iran side, because he’s not a big fan of Israel,”
Trump claimed that he personally intervened and asked Erdogan to stay out of the conflict, adding that the Turkish president had complied with the request.
Asked whether he would respond positively to Ankara’s request to acquire F-35 fighter jets and jet engines needed for its domestically produced combat aircraft, Trump said he would “probably do something” that would satisfy Turkey.
He also confirmed his intention to attend the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara “out of respect” for Erdogan.
READ: Israeli media highlight concerns over Egypt’s growing military capabilities






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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz vowed Wednesday army forces will not leave territory occupied in southern Lebanon “even if the United States demands withdrawal.”
“Israel will not leave its security zone in Lebanon, even if the United States demands withdrawal,” Katz said during an event in Tel Aviv, as cited by Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.
There was no immediate response from Washington.
The comments come as senior Israeli officials continue to insist on maintaining control over occupied areas in southern Lebanon despite a recent US-Iran understanding, which includes commitments related to respecting Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Katz and Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir pledged to maintain control of what Israel describes as a “security zone” in southern Lebanon.
Israel occupies areas in southern Lebanon, some held for decades and others seized during the 2023-2024 conflict. During its current military campaign, Israeli forces have advanced more than 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory.
Since March 2, Israel’s attacks in Lebanon have killed 4,192 people, wounded 12,171 others and displaced more than one million residents, according to Lebanese official figures.
Katz also vowed that Israel will not allow the return of around 200,000 Lebanese to their areas in southern Lebanon.
READ: Iran says Israeli strikes on Lebanon delayed next round of US talks
He claimed that allowing civilians to return could expose Israeli troops to attacks.
“What happened in the past in security zones that included civilian populations was the planting of explosive devices and attacks against soldiers,” he said.
“The soldiers are inside, the population is outside, the infrastructure is destroyed and the houses are demolished. We will not withdraw,” he said.
Katz further said Israel would maintain its occupation of areas in both Syria and Lebanon.
“We will not leave the security zone in Syria and Lebanon; this is the security doctrine,” he said, claiming that Israeli forces must “be present in enemy territory to protect Israeli communities.”
His remarks come as Lebanese and Israeli delegations are holding a fifth round of talks in Washington from Tuesday through Thursday.
According to Israeli media reports, the discussions include possible areas from which Israeli troops could withdraw and be replaced by Lebanese army forces.
In addition to occupying territory in southern Lebanon, Israel continues to occupy Palestinian territories and areas inside Syria, while rejecting international calls for withdrawal and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with relevant UN resolutions.
READ: Israeli soldiers’ parents demand end to Lebanon fighting and return of troops
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