Zagreb, June 18, 2025 – Croatia’s President, Zoran Milanović, has stirred international attention following a sharply critical statement in which he accused a segment of Israel’s leadership of operating like “criminals,” and described Israel’s ongoing actions in Gaza as “a criminal policy” allegedly backed by the United States.
President Milanović made the remarks while addressing reporters in Zagreb, expressing dismay at the humanitarian toll of the conflict and the international community’s muted response. His comments reflect growing frustration among some European leaders over what they perceive as disproportionate military actions and the lack of accountability for civilian casualties in Gaza.
“A part of Israel’s leadership is made up of criminals,” Milanović declared, adding that “what is happening in Gaza is not self-defence, it is a systematic campaign of destruction under the cover of support from powerful allies.”
The Croatian leader’s remarks have sparked both domestic and international reactions, with critics accusing him of inflammatory rhetoric, while supporters praise his willingness to confront what they consider to be global double standards.
Milanović, known for his outspoken and often controversial political style, reiterated that his criticism is not aimed at the Israeli people or Judaism, but at what he called “an increasingly unchecked political and military leadership acting with impunity.”
There has been no immediate official response from the Israeli government, but diplomatic observers expect the statement to further complicate Croatia-Israel relations, especially at a time when international actors are under pressure to mediate peace and prevent further escalation.
Milanović’s comments come amid growing global scrutiny of the war in Gaza, where thousands of civilian casualties have sparked protests and urgent calls for ceasefire. As diplomatic efforts stall, statements such as Milanović’s highlight the intensifying divisions within the global political landscape over the handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
