Israel pressures EU to end support for PA.
According to Israel Hayom, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar traveled to Hungary on Monday amid the global isolation of the regime and met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Saar, who was accompanied by an Israeli trade delegation, held a private meeting with Szijjarto, which was later joined by their respective delegations.
This meeting marks the eighth occasion in the last two years that the foreign ministers of Israel and Hungary have convened. During a joint press conference held in Budapest, Saar asserted that Israel is committed to enforcing the Gaza ceasefire agreement based on the plan proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. He stated, “This plan clearly indicates that the Palestinian Authority will lack legitimacy without meaningful reforms.”
Saar also criticized the European Union for its decision to recognize an independent Palestinian state and for its support of the Palestinian Authority (PA). He remarked, “The European Union allows the PA to continue inciting against Israelis while financially supporting Palestinians released from Israeli prisons.”
He further claimed, “The PA has not ceased its support for prisoners; it has merely altered its methods. Even newly released Palestinian prisoners now receive these payments through the Palestinian Post Office.”
Saar continued, “Instead of holding the PA accountable for supporting ‘terrorists’ (Palestinian prisoners), the European Union seeks to reward it by establishing a Palestinian state.” He urged European leaders not to support the PA, unlike Hungary, and to hold the PA accountable for their actions.
In related news, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also established several red lines for the United States during his visit to the occupied territories on Tuesday, along with Trump’s Vice President, J.D. Vance. Israeli TV Channel 12 reported that Netanyahu’s serious demands included a strong opposition to Turkey’s involvement in the Gaza Strip and the role of the Palestinian Authority or Hamas in a post-war scenario.
Netanyahu emphasized that the full withdrawal of the Israeli army would only occur when Hamas is completely disarmed and Gaza is free of weapons. However, an Israeli security official told Channel 12, “In Washington’s view, there is currently no suitable alternative to the Palestinian Authority, so it is likely that they will pressure Netanyahu to make compromises given the increasing demands from Washington.”