Brussels: European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar exchanged public messages on social media Thursday, focusing on EU policy toward Israel and illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kallas emphasized the importance of dialogue between the European Union and Israel despite political disagreements. She addressed Sa'ar, highlighting the shared values between the EU and Israel and expressing her commitment to dialogue and engagement. Kallas underscored that dialogue is the foundation of diplomacy and that the EU seeks to maintain a constructive relationship with Israel.

Kallas reiterated the EU's stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, maintaining that a two-state solution is the only viable path to peace in the Middle East. She noted the EU's condemnation of illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which complicate efforts toward achieving this goal.

In response, Sa'ar publicly commented that Kallas had not denied or condemned certain statements attributed to her, which had been published. He suggested that her silence on these statements speaks volumes. Sa'ar stated that the remarks attributed to Kallas regarding 'apartheid' did not reflect the EU's position to his knowledge. He challenged Kallas to either stand by or deny the statements, indicating that his stance would remain unchanged until the issue was clarified.

The exchange highlights ongoing disagreements between the European Union and Israel regarding the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank, as well as broader efforts to revive a political process based on a two-state solution.