Croatian EU Commissioner Takes on Key Role in Israel-Gaza Diplomacy

Croatian EU Commissioner Dubravka Šuica is undertaking a significant diplomatic mission in the Middle East, engaging with key Israeli and Palestinian leaders. Her agenda includes discussions on the Gaza conflict, Palestinian reforms, and the reconstruction of territories affected by the war. She is meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Foreign Minister Gideion Sa'ar, as well as Palestinian Vice President Hussein Al Sheikha and Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.

Šuica's engagement comes at a critical time, with the EU seeking to assert a more prominent political role in the region. This initiative is underscored by the current tensions between EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Israel, which have made her persona non grata in the country. Šuica's portfolio, officially covering the Mediterranean, has unexpectedly positioned her as a visible face of the European Commission on the Israeli-Palestinian issue.

Her role is increasingly seen not as an exception but as a pattern, suggesting that Šuica is acting as a special envoy for Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This development signals the EU's evolving strategy to be more than just a financial backer, aiming instead to be an active political player in one of the world's most complex geopolitical arenas.