Slowly but perceptibly, the relentless flow of images of horror and suffering from Gaza is hardening opposition to Israel’s actions there, even among those traditionally considered the country’s staunchest supporters. The shift will be unacceptably slow for anyone desperate to stop the killing, while it appears to have had little effect as yet on the brutal tactics of Israeli forces. But it represents a change of attitude among international political leaders and their voters that could have far-reaching consequences for the region.
A YouGov poll this week showed support and sympathy for Israel in western Europe at its lowest ever level. Less than 20 per cent of respondents held a favourable opinion of the country.
In what the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz described as “a rebuke typically reserved for pariah regimes,” the UK has suspended free trade negotiations. Along with Canada and France, it has also threatened “concrete actions” in response to what Keir Starmer describes as Israel’s “appalling” actions. Even Germany issued its harshest criticism since the war began with the Hamas attack of October 7th 2023, Chancellor Friedrich Merz saying he “no longer understands” Israel’s goals in Gaza.
Ireland has been among the most vociferous EU opponents of the war and a further landmark arrived this week with Trinity College Dublin’s decision to sever all ties with Israeli companies and universities. It remains to be seen whether other institutions follow suit, but the move, while largely symbolic, is significant nonetheless.
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Supporters of Binyamin Netanyahu’s government are quick to paint such gestures as anti-Semitic. It is true that the scourge of anti-Semitism can be found among some elements of the anti-war movement, as recent violent attacks in the US have shown. But the accusation that all protests are driven by hatred of Jews rather than humanitarian concern does not stand up to scrutiny.
The charge wears even thinner given opposition in Israel itself. Former prime minister Ehud Olmert has described his country’s actions as a war crime. Hundreds of former operatives of the intelligence agency Mossad, including three retired heads, have accused Netanyahu of continuing the violence for selfish political reasons, to satisfy far-right members of his government.
These comments may reflect a rising awareness among some of the country’s elite that what is happening in Gaza is not just an appalling tragedy for Palestinians. It also threatens to become a disaster for the state of Israel. With the governing coalition under the sway of far-right racist ministers who have no respect for international law or for the human rights of those they deem “barbarians”, Israel drifts ever further away from the liberal democratic values it purports to share with its increasingly sceptical friends and allies.
