Sa'ar says diplomacy is part of Israel's national security, alongside its military campaigns. Colombia is expected to open an embassy in Jerusalem next month, becoming the 10th country to do so; Israel has reached an understanding with DR Congo, but no date is set.
Sa'ar described relations with the UK under Labour as at an “unprecedented low” after Britain imposed sanctions related to Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Israel responded by closing the British Consulate in east Jerusalem, restricting British representatives' work on Palestinian Authority- and Gaza-related issues, and declaring several British figures persona non grata.
On Iran, Sa'ar rejected the view that Tehran emerged from recent regional upheaval diplomatically stronger, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' designation as a terrorist group by numerous countries, some governments' moves to reduce ties, and Iran's suppression of protests and regional activity. He cautioned that Iran is not isolated and said he sees no US-Iran agreement on the horizon, though he did not consider diplomacy over. Israel's highest commitment, he said, remains preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
