For FM Gideon Sa'ar, Israel's diplomatic battlefield is as important as the military one

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar outlines his diplomatic strategy, focusing on persuading foreign governments to move embassies to Jerusalem, managing deteriorating relations with the UK, and countering Iran's regional influence. He frames diplomacy as a component of national security, alongside military efforts.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, in an interview with the Jerusalem Post, outlines his diplomatic strategy as a core component of Israel's national security, equal in importance to its military campaigns. Sa'ar's primary goal is persuading foreign governments to move their embassies to Jerusalem, a campaign he describes as a battle over competing narratives regarding the city's status. He notes that Colombia is expected to become the 10th country to operate an embassy in Jerusalem next month, and that an understanding has been reached with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sa'ar emphasizes that this progress requires active effort and does not happen on its own. On the UK, Sa'ar describes relations as at an 'unprecedented low' following British sanctions on settlements, with Israel responding by closing the British Consulate in east Jerusalem and restricting British representatives. He argues that Israel's response deters other countries from taking similar steps. Regarding Iran, Sa'ar rejects the notion that Tehran has emerged diplomatically strengthened, pointing to international designations of the IRGC as a terrorist group and reduced diplomatic relations. He states that preventing Iran from having nuclear weapons remains Israel's highest commitment. Sa'ar also identifies Latin America as a region for potential diplomatic breakthroughs.