Israeli FM Sparks Controversy in UK: Anti-Islam Rhetoric, Pro-Displacement Vision for Gaza, and Threats to Iran and Yemen

In a secretive visit to London, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar unleashed a barrage of provocative remarks targeting British Muslims, pro-Palestine protesters, and Iran-backed resistance movements, while openly defending Israel’s vision for post-war Gaza — including potential voluntary displacement of Palestinians.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Telegraph, Sa’ar criticised pro-Palestinian activism in Britain and warned that “radical Islam” is not sufficiently countered by UK authorities. He also defended Israel’s ban on British MPs critical of Israeli policies, and threatened unilateral Israeli actions should European states recognise Palestinian statehood.

Tensions with the UK and Pro-Palestine Protesters

Sa’ar’s trip, arranged quietly amid concerns of potential arrest warrants, was reportedly facilitated by British government intervention. He dismissed activist calls for legal action against him as “noise,” while urging the UK to adopt a friendlier stance toward Israel.

Speaking about Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Sa’ar said their discussions were “frank” and that Britain should “better understand Israel’s reality and regional context,” particularly when hospitals or UNRWA facilities are targeted by Israeli strikes.

He insisted that Israeli actions — including forced evacuations in Gaza — should be viewed in light of Hamas and Islamic Jihad “launching attacks from within civilian infrastructure,” and accused UK media and political circles of failing to represent this narrative.

Barring Critics and Condemning the Muslim Brotherhood

Addressing the barring of two British Labour MPs from entering the West Bank, Sa’ar defended the move as consistent with Israeli law, which blocks those advocating for boycotts or sanctions. He cited precedents of Western countries denying entry to controversial figures and stressed that Israel reserves the right to protect its national interests.

When asked about “Islamic extremism” in Britain, Sa’ar avoided direct criticism but warned that Muslim Brotherhood activities in the UK exceed what is allowed in some Arab states. He framed the issue as a matter for British public discourse, while noting that “Arab friends” had flagged it to him as a concern.

Disputing Palestinian Statehood and Threatening Unilateral Actions

Sa’ar rejected French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent push for recognising Palestinian statehood, warning it would “weaken France’s regional influence” and encourage Palestinian intransigence. He hinted that such moves could prompt Israel to annex parts of the West Bank under the guise of “applying Israeli law to our communities in Judea and Samaria.”

He refused to describe Israel’s presence in the West Bank as “occupation,” instead calling it “disputed territory,” and asserted that “no one should try to pre-empt future negotiations.”

Iran: Nuclear Threat and Calls for Aggressive Diplomacy

On Iran, Sa’ar repeated Israeli claims that Tehran poses a grave threat not only to Israel but to global security, citing its support for Russia in the Ukraine war and its missile capabilities. He warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would spark a regional arms race, with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Turkey potentially following suit.

Though he refrained from confirming whether Trump blocked an Israeli strike on Iran — as reported by The New York Times — Sa’ar underscored Israel’s commitment to halting Iran’s nuclear program, whether diplomatically or otherwise. He voiced skepticism about Iran’s sincerity in negotiations and called for unified Western pressure to exploit Tehran’s “moment of relative weakness.”

On the Houthis and Maritime Attacks

Turning to the Red Sea crisis, Sa’ar welcomed recent UK-US strikes on Yemen’s Houthis but hinted that “further steps” are needed, including targeting the group’s financial networks. He labelled the Houthis a major threat to global trade and maritime security and aligned them with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas as “terrorist proto-states.”

He criticised Western restraint in past Saudi and Emirati campaigns against the Houthis and called their resurgence an example of “radical armed groups turning into full-fledged terrorist kingdoms.”

On Yemeni Protests and Gaza War

Commenting on protests in London where demonstrators praised Yemen’s resistance, Sa’ar derided the participants as “useful idiots” manipulated by anti-Western ideologies. He described Israel’s war in Gaza as part of a broader battle to “defend Western civilisation from jihadist extremism,” linking the outcome of the war to future developments in Muslim communities across Europe.

He denied allegations of genocide in Gaza and insisted that Israel’s military conduct compares favourably to past European campaigns in places like Raqqa and Mosul.

Gaza’s Future: Displacement as a Solution?

One of Sa’ar’s most controversial statements came when discussing Gaza’s future. He expressed openness to plans — reportedly championed by Donald Trump — involving the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians from Gaza to third countries. He claimed that he personally receives requests from Palestinians seeking help to emigrate.

Sa’ar stated:

“There are countries willing to accept them — some are already doing so in small numbers. Others are ready for larger numbers.”

He framed displacement as a humanitarian gesture, drawing comparisons with Afghan and Syrian refugees. “If someone wants to leave, and another country is ready to receive them — how can anyone object to that? That’s not humanitarian.”

Critics say the rhetoric echoes long-standing Israeli ambitions to engineer demographic changes in Gaza under the guise of “voluntary” migration. Sa’ar, however, insists the proposal is not forced and that it would benefit both Palestinians and the region.

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