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Europe does not view Israel as an apartheid state, EU ambassador tells ‘Post’ - interview

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Interview Named sources Context piece
  • The EU ambassador to Israel clarified that the European Union does not officially view Israel as an apartheid state.
  • This statement comes amid heightened tensions between Brussels and Jerusalem over reported remarks by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
  • The ambassador emphasized the strong partnership between the EU and Israel, despite current strains in their relationship.

The European Union does not officially consider Israel an apartheid state, stated EU Ambassador to Israel Michael Mann in an interview with The Jerusalem Post. This clarification addresses recent tensions between Brussels and Jerusalem, which escalated after reports that EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas allegedly referred to Israel as an "apartheid state."

The European Union’s position has always been that a two-state solution remains the only viable path to achieving lasting peace in the Middle East.

— Michael MannThis quote reiterates the EU's long-standing policy on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Mann declined to comment on unofficial remarks from anonymous officials but firmly reiterated the EU's official stance. "It is not the official policy of the European Union that Israel is an apartheid state. I want to make that absolutely clear," he said. He emphasized that the EU's position has consistently supported a two-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace in the Middle East.

It is not the official policy of the European Union that Israel is an apartheid state. I want to make that absolutely clear.

— Michael MannThis quote directly refutes the alleged remarks and clarifies the EU's official position.

Despite the current difficulties, Mann stressed the deep and historically close partnership between the EU and Israel, highlighting Israel's integration into EU programs like Horizon research cooperation. He acknowledged that the relationship is experiencing a "more difficult period right now." Mann also rejected claims that the EU disproportionately focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, citing the EU's strong response to Russia's war in Ukraine, including 21 sanctions packages.

The starting point is that Israel and the European Union are very close partners.

— Michael MannThis quote emphasizes the foundational strength of the relationship between the EU and Israel.

He suggested that perceptions of bias might stem from media framing, particularly within the Israeli media. "Through the lens of the Israeli media, it may appear that we are treating Israel with particular unfairness, but we base our policies on how we assess developments on the ground," Mann explained. The ambassador's tenure has coincided with a turbulent phase in EU-Israel relations.

I would be lying if I said the relationship is not going through a more difficult period right now.

— Michael MannThis quote acknowledges the current strains and challenges in EU-Israel relations.
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Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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