A profound and tangible shift is underway in the global stance toward Israel’s genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza. Though this change comes belatedly—more than 19 months into the aggression—it is undeniably significant. It signals a turning point: Israel is starting to lose its international backers, and the cost of this war is escalating beyond what Tel Aviv anticipated.
Many countries that once supported the Israeli occupation are now changing course. Most notably, the European Union, Britain, France, and Canada have moved beyond mere political condemnation. They are now pursuing real punitive actions against Israel. Britain, for instance, is considering recognising Palestine as an independent state. It has also imposed sanctions on settlers and settlement projects in the West Bank, summoned the extremist Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely, and suspended free trade negotiations with Israel.
Just hours before these announcements from Britain, France, and Canada, Spain and six other European nations made similar moves. Spain’s Prime Minister declared his country’s intention to help end Israel’s blockade and starvation war on Gaza—a statement that prompted Netanyahu’s government to suddenly agree to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.
This dramatic pivot in international attitudes stems from a growing global awareness: Netanyahu’s war has become a reckless, aimless campaign. Despite months of excessive force, the Israeli army has failed to rescue even a single hostage through military means. Every freed individual was released through negotiated deals with Hamas—not force.
Even more telling, Israel has achieved none of the three core goals Netanyahu announced at the war’s onset on October 8, 2023:
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- The return of hostages
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- The elimination of Hamas
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- The securing of Israeli settlements around Gaza
Nineteen months in, none of these objectives have been realised.
The world—including Israel’s staunchest allies—can no longer defend or ignore the collective punishment and starvation campaign being waged. Even Tel Aviv’s most reliable partners now see the war as futile, lacking any strategic benefit. Its continuation not only undermines Israel’s own security, but jeopardises regional stability, with the threat of uncontrolled escalation looming larger each day.
A Tragic Absence: Where Are the Arabs?
In the midst of this unprecedented global momentum, one glaring and painful truth emerges: the Arab world is absent—politically, diplomatically, and morally.
This international pressure on Israel came just days after the Arab League summit held in Baghdad, which produced no action, no resolution, and no unified stance. The Arab states failed to take any collective decision, nor did any single government act independently to counter or deter Israeli aggression.
Even more troubling is that capitals with direct ties to Israel have gone out of their way to preserve those relations, despite the mounting death toll, starvation, and devastation in Gaza.
While the West slowly awakens to the magnitude of Israel’s crimes, the Arab regimes—with all their resources, influence, and proximity—remain on an extended vacation from political responsibility.
