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Israel: "We Need to Survive First. After that Comes Popularity"

(Wall Street Journal) Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar interviewed by Elliot Kaufman - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar marvels at how governments in the UK, France, Canada and Australia "came to the conclusion they need to recognize a Palestinian state now. In the beginning, it was supposed to be under certain conditions" - if the Palestinians would make peace. Instead, they made war, and "all conditions were forgotten." The states plan to make their recognition official in September. Many Europeans "cannot understand that the Palestinians - all the factions - their ideology is to eliminate the Jewish state. It's a nice term, 'two-state solution.' First of all, you have a solution. But when you ask, 'Do you want a terror state?'" it becomes a different conversation. In Gaza, "the real aid situation has improved dramatically. The prices of basic products that had been very expensive fell during the past weeks. And this is because the quantities that enter Gaza, mainly by trucks, and also by airdrops, are huge." Israel has had to facilitate the increase, knowing it is "sustaining Hamas's war machine." "Of course we are in a very tough diplomatic battle. We are a small nation. We are standing against huge propaganda." But "take into consideration that the current reality comes after a consistent two years of war. I want to hope it won't last with the same temperature on calmer days. We will finish this war." "We will not risk real interests for a temporary period of quiet and better PR. I still recall how Israel had great PR after the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza in 2005." It didn't last. Hamas took over and Israel is still paying the price, in diplomacy and in lives. "We need to survive first. After that, there comes popularity and how much we are able to convince others around the world."
2025-08-28 00:00:00
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