Foreign Minister Gideon Saar addressed France's initiative to hold a European-Arab conference in Paris on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, without Israel's participation, saying it is "unnecessary and harmful like its predecessors." According to Saar, "We see this as another attempt by President Macron to divert attention from his internal problems at Israel's expense. I hope this move will not harm negotiations for the release of hostages, as has happened in the past." He also stated that "inviting governments hostile to Israel such as the Spanish government to discuss its affairs is particularly outrageous."