European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said Israeli strikes on Syria and Lebanon could lead to further escalation and called for greater humanitarian aid access to the Gaza Strip.
During an official visit to Jerusalem, Kallas said:
“Israel has the right to self-defence against terrorist attacks, whether by Hamas, the Houthis or Hezbollah. But military action must be proportionate, and Israeli strikes on Syria and Lebanon risk further escalation.”
Kallas said Syria is not attacking Israel and stressed that such actions contribute to radicalisation directed against Israel. She also expressed concern about the presence of Israeli forces in the buffer zone along the border with Syria and the expansion of the demilitarised zone south of Damascus.
Kallas said the European Union is considering lifting sanctions on Syria only on the condition that the new Syrian government does not persecute minorities and women and does not encourage religious fanaticism.
Kallas, who served as Estonia’s prime minister from 2021 to 2024, replaced Josep Borrell as EU high representative in December. Senior Israeli officials see her approach to Israel as more restrained compared to her predecessor.
Before her talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Kallas met with families of hostages, visited the Yad Vashem memorial centre and held meetings with President Isaac Herzog and opposition leader Yair Lapid. She later travelled to Ramallah, where she held talks with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas and representatives of the EU Mission at the Rafah border crossing.
