Croatian President refuses to meet Israeli FM over Gaza genocide

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has declined to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar during his official visit to Zagreb, citing the regime’s ongoing genocide in Gaza as the reason for his refusal.

In a statement posted to social media on Tuesday, September 8, Milanovic strongly criticized the decision by Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman, and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandrokovic to host Saar amid “Israel’s” ongoing atrocities.

“Why was the Israeli Foreign Minister invited to Zagreb, and why did the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of the Republic of Croatia meet with him?” the Croatian president’s statement read.

Condemning the nature of Saar’s visit, Milanovic’s statement continued, “At a time when the Israeli government and army are expelling the entire population of Gaza City and announcing an attack on that city of one million inhabitants, meeting with a member of that same government is actually supporting Israel’s policy of violence, ethnic cleansing, and war crimes.”

‘This is offensive to Croatia’

The Croatian President continued to say that rather than moving forward with initiating the process of recognizing a Palestinian state “as the first step in achieving a two-state solution and lasting peace in the Middle East,” Zagreb is “supporting officials of the Israeli government who unequivocally stand behind the policy of war and violence.”

“How wrong it is to meet with a member of the Israeli government is also shown by his statement today in which he compares the Croatian Homeland War and the Israeli aggression on Gaza!” Milanovic declared.

“This is offensive to Croatia and all the victims of the aggression on Croatia because Croatia defended itself, unlike Israel, which is rampaging and killing tens of thousands of people in Gaza. As if that weren’t enough, the entire center of Zagreb was blocked off for hours today in honor of the Israeli minister, which doesn’t happen even when much more distinguished and important guests come to Croatia.”

Opposition and public protest against Saar’s visit

Members of Croatia’s opposition Mozemo! (We Can!) party also denounced the visit. MPs Sandra Bencic and Marin Zivkovic were among those who spoke out.

“With today’s act, Andrej Plenkovic has aligned his government with that of Benjamin Netanyahu, providing an alibi for the deliberate starvation of civilians and children in Gaza. The Croatian people will never support such actions,” Bencic said.

Saar’s visit to the Croatian capital was also met with protests from citizens and activists demonstrating against “Israel’s” genocidal war on Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, “Israel” has intensified its aggression across the Gaza Strip, resulting in the killing of at least 64,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring over 163,000 others, according to local authorities.

The Croatian president’s comments reflect growing frustration within parts of Europe over “Israel’s” ongoing siege and military operations in Gaza, particularly following the regime’s August 8 decision to launch a full-scale ground invasion of Gaza City.

Milanovic’s refusal to meet Saar marks a significant political stance within the EU, one that contrasts sharply with the positions of other European heads of state still offering diplomatic cover to the occupation.