Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has refused to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar during his visit to Zagreb, citing Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza. Milanovic strongly criticized the Croatian government for hosting Saar, accusing Israel of "genocide against the people of Gaza" and ethnic cleansing.
Key Takeaways
- Croatian President Zoran Milanovic refused to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
- Milanovic cited Israel’s actions in Gaza as the reason for his refusal.
- He criticized the Croatian government for meeting with Saar, calling it support for Israel’s violence.
- Opposition party Mozemo! also condemned the meeting, aligning the government with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- The Israeli minister dismissed the accusations as "Hamas propaganda" and praised Croatia’s stance.
Presidential Condemnation
President Milanovic took to social media to express his disapproval of the visit, questioning why Saar was invited and why Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman, and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic chose to meet him. Milanovic stated that meeting with Saar would imply acceptance of Israel’s "violence, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes." He further criticized Croatia’s government for supporting Israeli officials instead of advocating for the recognition of the State of Palestine. Milanovic drew a stark contrast between Israel’s actions in Gaza and Croatia’s defensive war in the 1990s, emphasizing the high civilian casualties in Gaza.
Government and Opposition Reactions
Prime Minister Plenkovic and other high-ranking Croatian officials did meet with Foreign Minister Saar. Saar, in response to Milanovic’s remarks, dismissed them as "Hamas propaganda" and stated that such accusations were irrelevant. He also noted that Israel had faced similar criticisms from politicians in "friendly countries." Saar commended Croatia, along with Germany and Italy, for not succumbing to "Hamas propaganda" or being swayed by French initiatives to recognize a Palestinian state. He argued that such initiatives do not contribute to peace or stability.
Meanwhile, the opposition party Mozemo! (We Can!) also voiced strong criticism. MPs Sandra Bencic and Marin Zivkovic held a press conference condemning the visit, stating that Prime Minister Plenkovic’s actions aligned the Croatian government with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, providing an "alibi for the deliberate starvation of civilians and children in Gaza." They asserted that the Croatian people would not support such actions.
Diplomatic Stance
The Croatian government, through its statements, reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue and a two-state solution as the path forward for peace in the Middle East. Croatia expressed its readiness to assist in processes that could foster lasting peace and stability in the region. The Israeli minister’s visit occurred amidst ongoing protests in Zagreb, highlighting the deep divisions within Croatia regarding the conflict in Gaza.
