Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar Criticizes 2021 Government Experiment, Supports Netanyahu Amid Regional Tensions

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar spoke on August 22, 2026, in an interview on the program "Meet the Press," sharply criticizing the 2021 "change government" experiment, which he said failed and is irrelevant to the post-October 7, 2023 reality. Sa’ar, who was part of that government, said lessons must be learned from its collapse and explained his decision to join Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, emphasizing Netanyahu’s effective leadership during recent security challenges.

Addressing tensions with Turkey, Sa’ar stated Israel has no interest in escalating the conflict despite provocative rhetoric from Turkish officials. He stressed Israel’s priority is maintaining stability in Syria and preventing Turkish military expansion southward. Sa’ar advocated for diplomatic solutions but acknowledged that Israel must act decisively to protect its security interests.

Sa’ar also confronted political commentator Ben Caspit during the interview, accusing him of politicizing issues. On judicial reform, Sa’ar expressed support for legal changes and noted he had worked with Justice Minister Yariv Levin on a mutually agreed proposal for judicial appointments, distancing himself from more extreme reform plans.

Regarding the contentious issue of ultra-Orthodox military conscription, Sa’ar highlighted past efforts to create professional yeshiva tracks and called for balanced solutions that avoid cultural wars. He criticized the opposition’s approach as politically motivated and reiterated his commitment to pragmatic governance.

Finally, Sa’ar dismissed speculation about his political future, affirming his support for Netanyahu as the best candidate to lead Israel through ongoing security and political challenges. He also denied fears of losing his Knesset seat, citing strong party support and his active role in national security and diplomacy.