Irish PM Condemns Israel's Decision to Cut Contact with EU Foreign Policy Chief Kallas

Israel's decision to sever communication with the European Union's top diplomat has drawn sharp condemnation from European leaders at a summit in Brussels. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin publicly denounced the move as "absolutely unacceptable" during the second day of a European Council meeting, voicing strong support for Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The dispute was triggered by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's announcement that Israel would cut off all contact with Kallas. The European Council, the body that brings together the heads of government of EU member states, was holding its regular summit in Brussels when the controversy erupted. Kaja Kallas, the former Prime Minister of Estonia, took over as the EU's foreign policy chief in late 2024. The High Representative role makes her the principal diplomatic voice of the European Union on the world stage, meaning Israel's refusal to engage with her effectively amounts to a diplomatic boycott of EU foreign policy leadership. The move reflects deepening tensions between Israel and the European Union over the conflict in Gaza, with several EU member states having taken positions critical of Israeli military operations.