Latest news with #Sa'ar
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A-G working to 'bring about downfall' of Israeli government, says Sa'ar
Sa'ar claimed that a 'senior' official in the justice ministry had told him that Baharav-Miara had decided to 'go all the way' in her opposition to the government. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara is working 'persistently and openly' to 'paralyze the government's executive capabilities and bring about its downfall,' Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said on Tuesday. Sa'ar's comments came in response to an opinion issued by the attorney-general on Monday, according to which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is legally barred from appointing a new Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head due to a conflict of interests. Netanyahu said on Thursday that he had decided to appoint Maj.-Gen. David Zini to the position, despite a High Court ruling a day earlier that the 'Qatargate' investigation put him in a conflict of interest with regards to firing the outgoing Shin Bet chief, Ronen Bar. Sa'ar's accusations were noteworthy, as he was responsible for Baharav-Miara's appointment to the position in his position as Justice Minister in the previous government. Sa'ar claimed that a 'senior' official in the Justice Ministry had told him that Baharav-Miara had decided to 'go all the way' in her opposition to the government. 'The reasoning presented by Baharav-Miara and [Deputy Attorney-General Gil] Limon is a supposed 'conflict of interests' involving the prime minister due to the Qatargate affair, despite the fact that the prime minister is not a suspect in the case,' Sa'ar wrote on X/Twitter. 'The very claim of a conflict of interests due to an investigation into people close to the prime minister is, in itself, far-reaching. In any case, any novice legal scholar knows that this alleged conflict of interest could have been 'neutralized' through much more proportionate measures instead of completely disqualifying the prime minister's involvement 'in any way' in the appointment of the head of the security agency he is legally mandated to oversee,' the foreign minister continued. 'For example, the attorney-general could have ruled that the new Shin Bet chief would not be involved in the investigation at all. 'The proposal to transfer the appointment authority to another minister makes a mockery of the explicit provisions of the law, which Baharav-Miara and Limon have ignored,' Sa'ar continued. In response to the A-G's opinion that it was 'doubtful' whether Zini could be appointed to the position, Sa'ar wrote, 'What remains of the legal provisions and the prime minister's responsibility in a key security domain when fundamental powers are stripped from him so casually by those who are supposed to provide him with legal counsel?" 'The Knesset was elected by the people. The government serves by virtue of the Knesset's confidence. The continued weakening of these institutions turns Israel into a caricature of a democratic regime. An attorney-general who persistently and openly works to paralyze the government's executive capabilities and bring about its downfall does not function as a legal adviser. By now, she is far more deserving of another distinguished title for her actual role: Leader of the Opposition.' The foreign minister's comments came alongside those of other ministers, some of whom, including Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Development of the Negev and Galilee Minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf, called on Netanyahu to ignore the High Court if it struck down Zini's appointment.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Smotrich: 'I will not allow signing a partial deal that gives Hamas oxygen and a lifeline'
Foreign Minister Sa'ar said that "if there is a chance to release hostages, it is appropriate to do so." Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated he would not allow a partial deal with Hamas in a post on X/Twitter on Wednesday, following US Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff's announcement that a new hostage deal proposal will be sent to Israel and Hamas. "We need to continue tightening the rope around Hamas' neck and force it into a complete surrender deal with all the hostages at once," he wrote. "It would be delusional folly to release pressure now and sign a partial deal with it [Hamas] that would give it oxygen and a lifeline and allow him to recover. I will not allow such a thing to happen. Period." Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said that "if there is a chance to release hostages, it is appropriate to do so." He said that this is the will of the majority of Israelis. "Actions should be taken according to national interests, not according to political pressure and threats," he continued. National Unity leader Benny Gantz noted that the prime minister had "no excuse" to not accept a hostage deal. "Even tonight, Netanyahu knows the government will not fall because of the hostage deal. [Some] 600 days after the start of the fighting — he has no excuse," he wrote. "He must accept the American proposal and advance a plan that will bring back all the hostages." Special envoy Witkoff told reporters that he had a positive feeling about a temporary ceasefire in Gaza. The new proposal is based on discussions held in Washington in recent days between Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Witkoff, as well as talks conducted by Bishara Bahbah in Qatar with senior Hamas officials. The previous proposal on the table offered the release of 10 live hostages on the first day of the deal in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire. The main point of contention between the parties is what will happen on the final day of the ceasefire if no further agreement is reached.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Arms Freeze Could Spell Disaster': Israeli FM's ‘Holocaust, Existential Threat' Warning Amid EU Move
/ May 28, 2025, 12:14PM IST Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar has warned that international arms embargoes on Israel could lead to the country's destruction and even 'another Holocaust.' Speaking at a Holocaust Remembrance event, Sa'ar criticized growing global calls—especially from European and Arab nations—to restrict military support to Israel over the Gaza conflict. He emphasized that Hamas and Iran openly seek Israel's annihilation and claimed an arms freeze would leave the Jewish state defenseless, as it was during World War II. Sa'ar argued that denying weapons today endangers Israel's existence and equated such actions with ignoring historical lessons of Jewish persecution.#israel #gideonsaar #armsembargo #gazawar #gazastrip #netanyahu
Saba Yemen
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Israel threatens to add settlements if great countries recognize Palestine
Occupied Quds - Saba: The so-called Israeli Foreign Minister, Gideon Sa'ar, threatened to impose sovereignty over the West Bank settlements and the Jordan Valley in response to any recognition of the State of Palestine by major powers, including Britain and France. The Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom quoted Sa'ar on Monday as saying that "any unilateral steps against Israel will be met with unilateral steps from it," referring to Tel Aviv's intention to respond by annexing Palestinian lands if international recognition of a Palestinian state is granted. Israel Hayom said that this warning comes amid efforts led by French President Emmanuel Macron to hold an international conference in New York in mid-June to garner international recognition of a Palestinian state. Diplomatic sources told the newspaper that Macron is seeking to make June 18 the date for official announcements by several countries recognizing the Palestinian state. This has angered the Israeli government, which accused the French president of "deception," claiming that he had previously informed Tel Aviv not to take this step. 149 of the 193 UN member states recognize Palestine, and the Palestinians hope to achieve further recognition during the New York conference. On July 20, 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that "the continued presence of the State of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory is illegal," emphasizing that Palestinians have "the right to self-determination" and that "settlements established in the occupied territories must be evacuated." Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
The National
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The National
Labour silent on Israeli government's 'antisemitism summit' invitation
Israel's foreign affairs minister, Gideon Sa'ar, suggested that UK ministers may be in attendance during a speech on Thursday, given in the wake of the killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington DC the previous day. Sa'ar said that a 'direct line connects antisemitic and anti-Israeli incitement' to the murders, adding: 'This incitement also includes official representatives of many countries and international organisations, particularly in Europe.' Israel foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar speaking on Thursday (Image: Israeli government) He went on: 'I say today to world leaders … Stop the incitement against Israel. Stop the false accusations. Support Israel in the historic campaign that has been forced upon it against the axis of evil in the Middle East.' The Israeli foreign minister then said: 'This is an appropriate opportunity to announce the conference against antisemitism that we will hold here in Jerusalem in the middle of next week, within the framework of the Israeli presidency of IHRA [International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance]. 'The conference will be attended by foreign ministers and other ministers of IHRA member states, envoys to combat antisemitism, and representatives of Jewish communities from these countries.' There are 35 IHRA member states, including the UK. It is the highest level of membership, above liaison countries and observer countries. The UK previously held the IHRA presidency, and hosted two plenary meetings of its member countries last year, most recently in December. READ MORE: Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu claims Keir Starmer 'wants Hamas to remain in power' Labour have ramped up the rhetoric on Israel in recent days, cancelling trade deal talks with the country and branding the country's government "extremists". However, they continue to license the export of military equipment and send spy planes over Gaza. Asked if UK Government ministers would be attending the Israeli summit, the Foreign Office declined to comment. In January, Foreign Secretary David Lammy undertook a secret visit to Israel which was only revealed when it was publicised by the Israeli government. Foreign Secretary David Lammy with Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar during a secret visit to the country in January (Image: Gideon Sa'ar/Twitter) The UK Government did not disclose Lammy's visit or meeting with Sa'ar until after it had been reported in The National and other media. In April, Sa'ar then visited the UK and met Lammy in another secret trip that was also not publicised by the Labour Government. Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP told The National: 'Antisemitism is a hugely important issue and all responsible governments should work to oppose it. However, attending a conference held by the far-right ethno-nationalist Israeli government would be taken as an endorsement of its genocidal actions. READ MORE: Labour refuse to say who Foreign Office minister met on Israel trip 'The only priority right now for engagement with Benjamin Netanyahu's regime is about ending the blockade of humanitarian aid and demanding a permanent ceasefire, to end suffering and allow the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives. 'Any meeting with Israeli officials should be on record and announced ahead of time. Holding visits or meetings and only disclosing them after the fact is unacceptable. 'There should be a complete change of practice by the UK Government, where engagement with the Israeli government only takes place with the urgent aim of achieving a just and lasting peace.' The Foreign Office further did not respond to a separate request for comment on the Israeli government's conference.
