Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar wrapped up his three-day diplomatic visit to Italy on Wednesday evening, cutting short his scheduled visit to Europe and returning to Israel due to the latest developments in Israel’s hostage release negotiations with the Hamas terrorist organization.
According to the Foreign Ministry, Sa’ar “will return to Israel tonight to participate in the expected discussions and votes in the Security Cabinet and government.”
Sa’ar was set to travel next to Hungary following his visit to Italy.
The minister met with Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport Matteo Salvini, and Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, among others.
Sa’ar told influencers and Israel advocacy activists in Italy that the hostage release deal under discussion is “not a partial deal. It’s a gradual deal.”
The minister also addressed questions from reporters during a joint briefing with Tajani, including questions about whether Israel would agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state once the war with Hamas has ended.
“In the current situation, establishing a Palestinian state will surely be a Hamas state. There is a reason why the Palestinian Authority didn’t make elections since 2005,” Sa’ar said in response to a question from an Italian journalist.
“A Hamas state will not only not solve the conflict, but will deteriorate security, peace, and stability of the region,” he warned.
“Altogether, Palestinian Authority must stop paying for terrorists accordingly to the crimes. As much as it is a bigger crime, they’re getting more money. European Union demanded them to stop that; they hadn’t.
“If they will stop poisoning the minds of future generations, we might have a chance to go forward in a path for real peace,” he added.
The convening of the Security Cabinet and the full government cabinet could indicate a breakthrough in the talks with Hamas — but nothing is certain until an official announcement.
