Gideon Sa'ar

Gideon Moshe Serchensky (later Sa'ar) was born in Tel Aviv. His mother Bruriah was born in Israel to a seventh-generation Bukharian Jewish family, whose ancestors arrived during the Ottoman Empire.{{cite web |last1=ZIRI |first1=DANIELLE |title=Sa'ar is Congress of Bukharan Jews' 'man of the year |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/saar-is-congress-of-bukharan-jews-man-of-the-year |website=Jerusalem Post|date=14 January 2013 }} His father Shmuel is an Ashkenazi Jew who was born in Ukraine and moved to Argentina as a child before immigrating to Israel. He has two siblings, a brother and a sister. His father was a doctor, while his mother was a teacher. Sa'ar grew up primarily in Tel Aviv, but as a child, he lived for a number of years in Mitzpe Ramon, where his father worked as a pediatrician, and in kibbutz Sde Boker, where he was the kibbutz doctor. At the time, Sde Boker was the residence of Israel's founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion. His father was frequently in contact with Ben-Gurion as the kibbutz doctor, and the young Gideon Sa'ar met Ben-Gurion numerous times when accompanying his father on visits to his home, during which Ben-Gurion gave him geography quizzes.{{cite news |first=Efrat|last=Neuman |date=17 April 2014|url=http://www.haaretz.com/weekend/week-s-end/.premium-1.566809 |title=In the name of Zionism, change your name |newspaper=Haaretz}}{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-gideon-sa-ar-netanyahu-could-be-ousted-likud-israel-election-1.8317823|title=Cool Tel Avivian or Pro-settler Nationalist? Netanyahu Could Be Ousted by This Man|work=Haaretz|first=Anshel|last=Pfeffer|authorlink=Anshel Pfeffer|date=9 December 2020|accessdate=5 April 2021}} After serving in the Israel Defense Forces as an intelligence NCO in the Golani Brigade, Sa'ar studied political science at Tel Aviv University and then went on to study law at the same institution.{{Cite news|url=https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/getting-israel-back-on-track/|title=Getting Israel Back On Track|date=21 August 2012|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=18 November 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.jcfk.org/about/honorary-board/gideon-saar|title=Gideon Sa'ar - JCFK|website=www.jcfk.org|language=en-gb|access-date=18 November 2018}}

In May 2013 Sa'ar married Israeli news anchor Geula Even, with whom he has two children, David and Shira. Geula was born to Lithuanian-Jewish immigrants from the Soviet Union. Sa'ar has another two children, Alona and Daniela, from his first wife Shelly, as well as one grandchild.{{cite news |date=17 May 2013|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/interior-minister-gideon-sa-ar-weds-journalist-geula-even.premium-1.524497 |title=Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar Weds Journalist Geula Even |newspaper=Haaretz}}

File:GideonSaar24 (cropped) (cropped).JPG

Sa'ar worked as an aide to the Attorney General between 1995 and 1997, and then as an aide to the State Attorney until 1998.{{Cite web|url=http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/AboutIsrael/State/Personalities/Pages/Gideon_Saar.aspx|title=Gideon Sa'ar|website=Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs}}

Sa'ar was appointed cabinet Secretary in 1999 and again from 2001 to 2002 after Likud's Ariel Sharon won a special election for Prime Minister. In the 2003 elections he won a seat in the Knesset on Likud's list, and was appointed Likud Parliamentary Group Chairman as well as Chairman of the Coalition. He was opposed to Israel's unilateral disengagement plan, and attempted to pass a bill demanding a referendum on the subject.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/likud-faction-adopts-proposal-facilitating-passage-of-budget-1.153606 |title=Likud faction adopts proposal facilitating passage of budget |newspaper=Haaretz|date=21 March 2005}}

After retaining his seat in the 2006 elections he was reappointed Group Chairman and also became a deputy Knesset speaker. While in the Knesset, Sa'ar proposed bills to jail employers who fire pregnant women,{{cite news|first=Zvi|last=Zrahiya|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/791513.html |title=Bill proposes 6-month jail term for firing pregnant employees |newspaper=Haaretz |date=22 November 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126171348/http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/791513.html |archive-date=26 November 2006}} (he chaired the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women) and to ban cosmetics testing on animals.{{cite news|first=Tamara|last=Traubmann|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/ministerial-committee-approves-bill-banning-animal-testing-for-cosmetics-1.211310 |title=Ministerial committee approves bill banning animal testing for cosmetics |newspaper=Haaretz |date=28 January 2007}} In December 2008, Sa'ar won the Likud primaries for its list going into the 2009 elections, giving him second place on the Likud list after leader Benjamin Netanyahu.{{cite news|first=Mazal|last=Mualem|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-stars-dim-on-likud-list-as-hawks-dominate-primary-1.259155 |title=Netanyahu 'stars' dim on Likud list, as hawks dominate primary |newspaper=Haaretz |date=9 December 2008}} He retained his seat, and was appointed Minister of Education on 31 March.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/netanyahu-sworn-in-as-israel-s-prime-minister-1.273265 |title=Netanyahu sworn in as Israel's prime minister |newspaper=Haaretz |date=31 March 2009}}

In September 2014, Sa'ar announced that he would be resigning his post before the next election; with rumors of alleged sexual harassments background for his sudden resignation.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/national-news/saar-may-resign-over-sex-scandal|title=Sa'ar may resign over sex scandal|work=The Jerusalem Post|last=Harkov|first=Lahav|date=20 February 2013}} He said he would still remain a member of the Likud.{{cite web|last1=Hoffman|first1=Gil|authorlink=Gil Hoffman|first2=Lahav|last2=Harkov|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Interior-Minister-Gideon-Saar-announces-plans-to-quit-government-375637|title=Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar Announces Plans to Quit Government|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=17 September 2014}}{{cite web|last=Lis|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/1.616353|title=Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar to Take 'Time-Out' From Political Life|work=Haaretz|date=17 September 2014}} On 17 September, he took a hiatus from politics.{{cite web|last=Lis|first=Jonathan|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/1.616353|title=Likud No. 2 to take break from cabinet and Knesset after the Jewish holidays|work=Haaretz|date= 17 September 2014}} He left the Knesset on 5 November, and was replaced by Leon Litinetsky. On 3 April 2017 Sa'ar announced his return to politics and intention to run in the next Likud primaries. He was seen as a potential candidate for party leadership and eventually prime minister.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-senior-likud-minister-saar-announces-return-to-politics/|title=Former senior Likud minister Sa'ar announces return to politics|author=Staff writer|date=3 April 2017|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=16 December 2019|language=en-US|author-link=Staff writer}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-disarming-return-to-politics-saar-gives-netanyahu-little-cause-to-fret/|title=With disarming return to politics, Sa'ar gives Netanyahu little cause to fret|last=Newman|first=Marissa|date=3 April 2017|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=16 December 2019|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4999543,00.html|title=Poll: If Netanyahu doesn't run, Gideon Sa'ar is the preferred right-wing candidate|date=8 June 2017|work=Ynet|access-date=16 November 2018|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/netanyahu-s-likud-rival-gideon-sa-ar-announces-return-to-politics-1.5456682|title=Netanyahu's Biggest Likud Rival Gideon Sa'ar Announces Return to Politics|first1=Jonathan|last1=Lis|first2=Noa|last2=Shpigel|date=3 April 2017|work=Haaretz|access-date=16 December 2019|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/06/27/could-this-man-be-israels-next-prime-minister/|title=Could this man be Israel's next Prime Minister?|date=27 June 2017|first=Ruth|last=Eglash|newspaper=The Washington Post}} In September 2017, The Jerusalem Post ranked him 5th on its "50 most influential Jews" list, calling him the "heir apparent to the Likud throne".{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/International/Gideon-Saar-The-heir-apparent-504964|title=Gideon Sa'ar — Will he return from political exile to lead?|last=Hoffman|first=Gil|date=22 September 2017|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=16 December 2019}} In September 2018, he was ranked 25th along with fellow Likud members Yisrael Katz and Gilad Erdan.{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/50-most-influential-jews/25-Gideon-Saar-Israel-Katz-and-Gilad-Erdan-565417|title=25. Gideon Sa'ar, Israel Katz, and Gilad Erdan|last=Hoffman|first=Gil|date=9 September 2018|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=16 December 2019}}

{{See also|2019 Likud leadership election}}In October 2019, amid coalition talks, Prime Minister Netanyahu indicated he was considering holding a snap election for party leadership. In a terse tweet, Sa'ar responded "I'm ready."{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/netanyahu-considers-snap-primary-to-dispel-rebellion-likud-rival-i-m-ready-1.7935162|title=Israel Election Results: Netanyahu Considers Snap Primary to Dispel 'Rebellion Illusion'; Likud Rival: I'm Ready|first=Jonathan|last=Lis|publisher=Haaretz|date=3 October 2019|access-date=3 October 2019}}{{cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Benjamin-Netanyahu-mulling-snap-race-for-Likud-leader-603579|title=Netanyahu quashes 'coup' to unseat him|first=Gil|last=Hoffman|publisher=The Jerusalem Post|date=3 October 2019|access-date=16 October 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-mulls-snap-leadership-primary-saar-signals-hell-challenge-him|title=Netanyahu mulls snap Likud leadership primary; Sa'ar signals he'll challenge him|first=Raoul|last=Wootliff|date=3 October 2019|access-date=16 December 2019|work=The Times of Israel}} After Netanyahu decided against holding a leadership election, Sa'ar confirmed he would run in the next election and would support Netanyahu until then.{{cite web|title=Sa'ar confirms he will take on Netanyahu once Likud calls contest|website=The Times of Israel| date=3 October 2019|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/saar-confirms-he-will-take-on-netanyahu-when-likud-contest-called/|access-date=6 October 2019}} On 24 November 2019, Sa'ar asked the Likud Central Committee to schedule a party leadership race within two weeks, allowing the winner to try to form a coalition government before the Knesset would be dissolved which would trigger new Knesset elections, the third in a year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-challenger-saar-formally-requests-snap-vote-for-likud-leader/|title=Netanyahu challenger Sa'ar formally requests snap vote for Likud leader|author=Staff writer|website=The Times of Israel|language=en-US|access-date=24 November 2019|date=24 November 2019|author-link=Staff writer}} After the Knesset was dissolved and elections set for 2 March 2020, leadership elections were set for 26 December 2019. Sa'ar received the endorsement of a few Likud Members of Knesset, including Haim Katz, the powerful head of the Likud central committee.{{cite web|last=Hoffman|first=Gil|title=MK Gideon Sa'ar obtains key endorsement ahead of Likud primary|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=15 December 2019|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/MK-Gideon-Saar-obtains-key-endorsement-610989|access-date=16 December 2019}}{{cite web|last=Prince|first=Cathryn J.|title=Sharren Haskel becomes 4th Likud MK to endorse Sa'ar for party leadership|website=The Times of Israel| date=15 December 2019|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-mk-haskel-becomes-4th-party-member-to-endorse-saar-for-leadership/|access-date=16 December 2019}} Netanyahu was endorsed by Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan while Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein declined to endorse either candidate.

During the campaign, Netanyahu's campaign slammed Sa'ar on Twitter saying he "has aligned with the Left and the media in order to remove the prime minister from the leadership of the state".{{cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Gil |title=Netanyahu, Sa'ar prepare for Thursday's Likud showdown |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=24 December 2019 |url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Gilad-Erdan-endorses-Benjamin-Netanyahu-in-Likud-primaries-612010 |access-date=8 January 2020}} At a conference the week before, Sa'ar had spoken against the "two state illusion" and criticized Netanyahu for offering territorial concessions to the Palestinians despite them being uninterested in peace talks, saying, "Around the world, the words 'two-state solution' remain a kind of certificate of acceptance. I have to tell you this is not a helpful position."{{cite web |last=Harkov |first=Lahav |title=Gideon Sa'ar: Netanyahu agreed to 'two state illusion' |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=15 December 2019 |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Gideon-Saar-Netanyahu-agreed-to-two-state-illusion-611036 |access-date=8 January 2020}} As widely expected, Netanyahu won handily with 72.5% to Sa'ar's 27.5%.{{cite web|last=Wootliff|first=Raoul|title=Netanyahu quashes Likud leadership challenge from Sa'ar with over 72%|work=The Times of Israel|date=27 December 2019|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-declares-victory-in-likud-primary-appears-headed-for-landslide-win/|access-date=9 January 2020}}

In December 2020, Sa'ar announced that he would leave Likud and will form his own party, called New Hope.{{cite web |date=8 December 2020 |title=Gideon Sa'ar quits Likud, 'a tool for Netanyahu's interests,' to lead new party |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/likuds-gideon-saar-expected-to-form-his-own-party-in-challenge-to-netanyahu/ |access-date=8 December 2020 |work=The Times of Israel}} He submitted his Knesset resignation on 9 December, which went into effect on 11 December.{{cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Gil |date=9 December 2020 |title=Gideon Sa'ar resigns from Knesset |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/gideon-saars-party-would-get-17-mandates-if-elections-held-today-poll-651567 |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} The party contested the 2021 Israeli legislative election, with the intent of forming a governing coalition, and removing Netanyahu from office.{{Cite web |date=18 January 2021 |title=N12 - סער: "נקים ועדת חקירה ממלכתית לבדיקת מחדלי הקורונה" |url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-israel-elections/2021_q1/Article-c2397528ed61771027.htm |access-date=10 February 2021 |website=N12}} He regained his seat in the Knesset, as New Hope gained six seats at the elections.{{cite web |title=תוצאות האמת של הבחירות לכנסת ה-24 |url=https://votes24.bechirot.gov.il/ |accessdate=5 April 2021 |website=votes24.bechirot.gov.il |publisher=Central Elections Committee |language=he}} Following the election, Sa'ar became Minister of Justice in the thirty-sixth government of Israel.{{cite web |date=12 June 2021 |title=Who's who in the Bennett-Lapid government |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/whos-who-in-the-bennett-lapid-government/ |accessdate=14 June 2021 |work=The Times of Israel}}

On 10 July 2022, Sa'ar announced that New Hope would form an electoral alliance with Benny Gantz's Blue and White, to be named National Unity. Sa'ar was second on the list.{{cite web |author1=Staff writer |author2=Eliav Breuer |date=14 August 2022 |title=Eisenkot joins Gantz, Sa'ar in National Unity Party |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-714658 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814061707/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-714658 |archive-date=14 August 2022 |accessdate=13 March 2024 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} National Unity contested the 2022 Israeli legislative election, where it placed fourth with 12 seats and did not join the thirty-seventh government. Following the outbreak of the Gaza war, Sa'ar was one of five members of National Unity to join the emergency war government. Sa'ar was sworn in as a minister without portfolio on 12 October 2023.{{Cite news |author=Carrie Keller-Lynn |date=12 October 2023 |title=Knesset okays war cabinet; PM: Saturday 'most horrible day for Jews since Holocaust' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-okays-war-cabinet-pm-saturday-most-horrible-day-for-jews-since-holocaust/ |access-date=13 October 2023 |website=The Times of Israel}}

On 12 March 2024, Sa'ar announced that New Hope would leave the National Unity alliance.{{cite web |last=Sokol |first=Sam |date=12 March 2024 |title=Sa'ar splits from Gantz's National Unity party, demands seat in war cabinet |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/saar-splits-from-gantzs-national-unity-party-demands-seat-in-war-cabinet/ |accessdate=13 March 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}} On 16 March, Sa'ar threatened to withdraw New Hope from the coalition if Prime Minister Netanyahu did not appoint him to the war cabinet;{{cite web |author=Staff writer |date=16 March 2024 |title=Sa'ar threatens to bolt coalition unless Netanyahu puts him in war cabinet very soon |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/saar-threatens-to-bolt-government-unless-netanyahu-appoints-him-to-war-cabinet/ |accessdate=18 March 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}} Netanyahu did not do so; nine days later, Sa'ar and the rest of New Hope left the government.{{cite web |last=Sokol |first=Sam |date=25 March 2024 |title=Gideon Sa'ar quits coalition after Netanyahu fails to appoint him to war cabinet |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gideon-saar-quits-coalition-after-netanyahu-fails-to-appoint-him-to-war-cabinet/ |accessdate=26 March 2024 |work=The Times of Israel}} On 29 September, Sa'ar rejoined the Netanyahu cabinet as a minister without portfolio following a request from Netanyahu, with Sa'ar saying that his decision to return was "the patriotic and right thing to do now".{{Cite web |date=29 September 2024 |title=Former Netanyahu rival Gideon Saar joins Israeli cabinet |website=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/29/former-netanyahu-rival-gideon-saar-joins-israeli-cabinet}} On 5 November 2024, it was announced that Sa'ar would replace Israel Katz as Foreign Minister.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-05 |title=Netanyahu fires Gallant amid US elections as Israel braces for Iran attack |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-827716 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}

On 13 February 2025 Sa'ar spoke with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters by phone about the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and the need for its full implementation including the release of all hostages and the resumption of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. Sa'ar also thanked New Zealand for designating Hamas and the Houthis as terrorist organisations, and extended an invitiation for Peters to visit Israel.{{cite news |last1=Chittock |first1=Niva |title=Winston Peters and Gideon Sa'ar speak on the importance of the Gaza ceasefire |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/541755/winston-peters-and-gideon-sa-ar-speak-on-importance-of-gaza-ceasefire |access-date=14 February 2025 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=13 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250213093052/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/541755/winston-peters-and-gideon-sa-ar-speak-on-importance-of-gaza-ceasefire |archive-date=13 February 2025|url-status=live}} On 24 February 2025, he met with the European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, in Brussels for the first formal talks between Israel and the EU since the Gaza war.{{cite news |title=EU, Israel restart dialogue as calls to review cooperation deal are muted |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/02/24/eu-israel-restart-dialogue-as-calls-to-review-cooperation-deal-are-muted |work=Euronews |date=24 February 2025}}

On April 15 2025, Sa'ar met with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London. The visit to London was not publicized and the meeting with Lammy was described as private. The British Foreign Office said that Lammy and Sa'ar discussed "the ongoing hostage negotiations, protection of aid workers, the need to end the humanitarian blockade of Gaza and stop settlement expansion in the West Bank, and the Iranian nuclear issue".{{cite web |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |title=Israeli minister met David Lammy on 'private' visit to UK, Foreign Office says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/16/israeli-foreign-minister-david-lammy-uk-foreign-office |website=The Guardian |date=16 April 2025 |access-date=16 April 2025}} His visit was met with outrage by critics of Israel in the UK. British MP Zarah Sultana called his visit "a direct affront to both international law and the Palestinian people enduring genocide, military occupation and apartheid under his government". The Hind Rajab Foundation and International Centre of Justice for Palestinians wrote to the UK attorney general to apply for an arrest warrant for Sa'ar. The request claimed that Sa'ar was responsible for the attack on Kamal Adwan hospital and the detention and torture of Hussam Abu Safiya.{{cite web |last1=Mulla |first1=Imran |title=Arrest warrant sought for Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on visit to UK |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/arrest-warrant-sought-israeli-foreign-minister-visit-britain |website=Middle East Eye |access-date=16 April 2025}} The British attorney general rejected the request for an arrest warrant. {{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/british-ag-rejects-request-by-pro-palestinian-groups-to-arrest-saar/|title=British AG rejects request by pro-Palestinian groups to arrest Sa'ar|date=17 April 2025|access-date=18 April 2025|website=Times of Israel}} The National reported that Sa'ar had planned to leave the UK early to avoid a potential arrest, but Lammy had privately assured him that the government would protect him from prosecution.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25101205.david-lammy-assured-israeli-minister-labour-block-arrest/ |title=David Lammy 'assured Israeli minister Labour would block arrest' on UK trip |newspaper=The National |date=18 April 2025}} Prime Minister Keir Starmer denied that he had been involved in the decision to deny the arrest warrant.{{cite news |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/25110108.keir-starmer-denies-blocking-arrest-warrant-gideon-saar/ |title=Keir Starmer denies blocking arrest warrant for Gideon Sa'ar |newspaper=The National |date=23 April 2025 |first=Lucy |last=Jackson}}

In 2004, Saar was awarded the Italian honor of Ufficiale.{{Cite web|url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/ricerca/insegna/59|title=Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana|accessdate=15 December 2024}} In 2009, he was awarded the OMC badge, for "being a politician who has not been blemished to this day" and for his action to strengthen the rule of law and his firm stand against political appointments.{{cite web | url=http://www.ometz.org.il/admin/UploadFiles/ometz%20%204_Part6.pdf | title=תנועת אומ"ץ - 404 }} In 2011, he was awarded an honorary degree by the President of Italy - Commendatore (Trustee) by the Italian Ambassador to Israel, Luigi Mattiolo, in recognition of his contribution to strengthening the relationship between Italy and Israel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.quirinale.it/onorificenze/ricerca/insegna/60|title=Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana|accessdate=15 December 2024}} On 17 April 2012, Sa'ar received the Orden del Mérito Civil, a first class honor awarded by the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, for his contribution to Israel–Spain relations.{{cite web | url=https://mobile.srugim.co.il/article/626085 | title=ארגנטינאי וקצין איטלקי: גדעון סער יפתיע אתכם }}

File:P20220713AS-0544 (52324233922).jpg with Israeli President Isaac Herzog, Gideon Sa'ar and other Israeli officials in Tel Aviv, Israel, 13 July 2022]]

File:Foreign Secretary David Lammy visits Israel (54264475720).jpg in Israel, 12 January 2025]]

Sa'ar has stated that he is opposed to a two-state solution,{{Cite news | url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4323882,00.html |title = Minister Sa'ar to Ynet: No to Palestinian state|date = 24 December 2012|access-date=16 December 2019|author=Attila Somfalvi|work=Ynet}}{{Cite web | url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Ex-minister-Gideon-Saar-rejects-two-state-solution-trap-553081 | title=Ex-minister Gideon Sa'ar rejects 'two-state solution trap'|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=30 April 2018|access-date=16 December 2019|first=Daniel J.|last=Roth}} arguing "There is no two-state solution; there is at most a two-state slogan",{{cite web | last1=Ahren | first1=Raphael | last2=Horovitz | first2=David | title=Gideon Sa'ar: Instead of new settlements, build up existing ones | website=The Times of Israel | date=20 March 2018 | url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gideon-saar-no-need-for-new-west-bank-settlements/ | access-date=20 June 2019}} and that it would be "a mistake to return to the idea of establishing a Palestinian state in Judea and Samaria as a solution to the conflict."{{cite news | last=Azulay | first=Moran | title=Gideon Sa'ar warns American Jews two-state solution 'a mistake' | website=ynetnews | date=28 June 2017 | url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4982113,00.html | access-date=20 June 2019}} He has expressed support for a long-term solution involving Jordan.{{cite web | title=Opinion - Why the 'Jordanian Option' Won't Die|first=Shmuel|last=Rosner | website=The New York Times | date=21 September 2018 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/21/opinion/israel-peace-plan-jordan-kushner.html | access-date=20 June 2019}}{{cite web | last=Saar | first=Gideon | title=Oslo is obsolete: Time for a victory mindset | website=The Jerusalem Post | date=6 July 2018 | url=https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Oslo-is-obsolete-Time-for-a-victory-mindset-561808 | access-date=16 December 2019}} He supported annexation of the West Bank, and supported the idea of Palestinian autonomy in a federation with Jordan.{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/middle-east/netanyahu-faces-popular-challenger-in-likud-race|agency=The Straits Times|first=Gil|last=Yaron|date=21 December 2019|title=Netanyahu faces 'popular' challenger in Likud race|access-date=9 December 2020}} In 2020, he declared: "Between the Jordan River and the sea there won’t be another independent state."{{cite news |last1=Sales |first1=Ben |title='From the river to the sea': The slogan that led to Rashida Tlaib's censure, explained |url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/568788/from-the-river-to-the-sea-the-slogan-that-led-to-rashida-tlaibs-censure-explained/ |access-date=20 November 2023 |publisher=The Forward |date=8 November 2023}}

As a teenager, Saar joined the ultranationalist Tehiya movement protesting the 1982 evacuation of Israeli settlements in the Sinai Peninsula as per the Egypt–Israel peace treaty. On 14 October 2023, in an interview with Israel's Channel 12 News, Sa'ar said that the Gaza Strip "must be smaller at the end" of the Gaza war, stating: "Whoever starts a war against Israel must lose territory."{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Kenneth |title=Israel appears to be on the verge of ethnic cleansing in Gaza |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/16/israel-gaza-mass-evacuation-ethnic-cleansing|work=The Guardian |date=16 October 2023|accessdate=25 March 2024}} During the Gaza war, he also stated that he would insist that the war not be stopped until Hamas is defeated, and said that after the war the Palestinian Authority would not be able to control the Gaza Strip.{{cite news | url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hymbnfpn6 | title=סער: אין שום כוונה לעצור את המלחמה לפני מיטוט חמאס, נעמוד על כך | newspaper=Ynet | date=23 November 2023 }}{{cite news | url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/rj0d4z9qp | title=סער: הרשות לא יכולה לשלוט בעזה אחרי המלחמה. אבו מאזן דורש? שימשיך לחלום | newspaper=Ynet | date=9 November 2023 | last1=אזולאי | first1=מורן | last2=כידון | first2=שרון }}

As he started working as foreign minister, Sa'ar stated "Israel should look to Kurds, Druze and other minorities in neighbouring countries, in addition to Saudi Arabia, for support". At his ministerial exchange and inauguration ceremony on Sunday, Sa'ar described Kurds as "our natural ally" and as "a great nation, one of the great nations without political independence". He further said that Kurds are "a national minority in four different countries, in two of which it enjoys autonomy: de facto in Syria and de jure in the Iraqi constitution", that they are "a victim of oppression and aggression from Iran and Turkey", and that Israel needed to strengthen ties to them, concluding: "This has both political and security aspects."{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Alex |title=Israel's foreign minister calls for ties with Kurds and other minorities in Middle East |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-foreign-minister-calls-kurds-minorities|work=Middle East Eye|date=11 November 2024|accessdate=13 November 2024}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.jpost.com/opinion/goodbye-two-state-solution-479033 Goodbye, two-state solution], January 2017, The Jerusalem Post
• [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Oslo-is-obsolete-Time-for-a-victory-mindset-561808 Oslo is obsolete: Time for a victory mindset], July 2018, The Jerusalem Post
• [https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/new-leadership-israel-conversation-gideon-saar New Leadership for Israel? A Conversation with Gideon Saar], February 2021, The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

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