Israeli FM after Jerusalem attack: ‘No Palestinian terror state’

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned Monday’s deadly terrorist shooting in Jerusalem upon his arrival to Budapest at the start of a two-day visit to Hungary and Croatia, using it to illustrate why Israel must not submit to pressure to establish a Palestinian state.

“Immediately after landing in Budapest I received terrible news. This morning, there was a horrific terror attack in our capital Jerusalem. Two Palestinian terrorists murdered Jews on buses at the Ramot Junction at the entrance to Jerusalem. So far, six Israelis have been killed. There are many, many injured, including a pregnant woman; we pray for them,” Sa’ar said at joint press conference with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó following their meetings.

“We are in a war against radical Islamist terrorism,” Jerusalem’s top diplomat continued. “Europe and the international community—every country—must now make a clear choice: Are they on Israel’s side? Or are they on the side of the jihadists? We know Hungary is on our side.”

Sa’ar said that “we completely reject the current attempts to force Israel to accept a Palestinian terror state in the heart of our tiny land. The terrorists this morning came from P.A. territories. The establishment of such a terror state would have one goal—the elimination of the State of Israel.

“It must be made clear: The Palestinian Authority has never disconnected from its support for terror. It rewards and encourages terror with its ‘pay for slay’ policy for terrorists and their families. The more severe the crime—the more they pay. It continues its incitement against Israel and Jews—in schools, textbooks, mosques and media. Based on its actions—the P.A. does not deserve a state.”

Szijjártó welcomed Sa’ar to Budapest, calling on Hamas to release all of the hostages the terrorist group holds in Gaza, including a Hungarian.

“Middle East security is directly linked to Central Europe’s. Hungary backs international efforts to eliminate terror & restore peace. Hamas must release all hostages immediately, including the Hungarian citizen still held captive,” the Hungarian foreign minister posted to X.

On Tuesday, Sa’ar is expected to meet in Zagreb with Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman and Speaker of the Parliament Gordan Jandroković.

Sa’ar will also hold a meeting with the Jewish community in the Croatian capital and visit the memorial to Holocaust victims of the Ustaše regime, which was closely aligned with the Nazis during World War II. The fascist government ran 20 concentration camps, including the notorious Jasenovac complex. The Ustaše regime murdered 30,000 Jews in Croatia during the war.

During his trip, Sa’ar is also scheduled to meet with Montenegro President Jakov Milatović and Romanian Foreign Minister Luminița Odobescu.