No corner of daily life remains untouched by the Gaza war. In eight months of Israeli offensives, nearly 36,500 Palestinians have been killed, and universities, international courts, cultural events, and national policies have all been pressed into the conflict’s service. From every podium, the call is loud and clear: Israel must end the war. Yet the voices are not distant. Allies and friends of Israel are hardening their stance as well. Public displays of isolation on the world stage are evident, though the real impact of sanctions or tougher measures remains uncertain. Israeli experts warn that such pressure could backfire, strengthening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rather than fostering peace. [Citation: UN reports and regional analysts]
In recent weeks, events have rushed forward. The International Court of Justice ordered Israel to suspend its military campaign in Rafah, in southern Gaza. Days earlier, prosecutors at the International Criminal Court requested the arrest of Netanyahu and his defense minister Yoav Gallant. Some partners of Israel, such as France, supported the move. Spain, Norway, and Ireland recognized the State of Palestine, while Belize, Bolivia, and Colombia cut diplomatic ties with Israel. Turkey halted trade with the Jewish state. Meanwhile, campuses around the world held solidarity camps for Gaza while civilians faced bombardment and hunger. [Citation: ICJ, ICC actions; national responses]
Global South Nations
[Stimulus: summary of reactions and evolving positions across continents]
Countries like France, Italy, and Germany had backed Israel since October 7 but are now showing signs of dissatisfaction with Netanyahu. Attacks on Rafah, defying international norms and court rulings while casualties mount among Palestinian civilians, appear to have pushed some governments toward reconsideration. Washington, Israel’s steadfast ally, has reiterated its support, yet a White House security spokesman warned that Israel risks deeper isolation. According to Yonatan Freeman, a professor of International Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the sense in Israel is that isolation is growing. [Citation: official statements; academic analysis]
“There is a real gap between what leaders say and what they actually do,” Freeman notes to this publication. A quick glance around shows little Arab or Muslim country recently joining the Abraham Accords. Despite rhetoric about anti-war stances and alliances with Palestinians, diplomatic ties with Israel have actually tightened or been severed in several cases. The October 7 Hamas attack, which killed more than a thousand Israelis and foreigners, plus around 250 abductees, sparked a surge of global solidarity. Yet, in the weeks since, new disagreements about how to conduct the war have appeared, not necessarily about the reasons to act but about the means. Washington remains a focal point in these debates. [Citation: regional analyses; official remarks]
South Asia, Africa, and parts of Latin America have shown more consistent stances in line with their own regional narratives. South Africa has brought Israeli officials into the international legal arena. Nicaragua has accused Germany of fueling the war by selling weapons. Maldives recently barred entry to anyone with an Israeli passport as a protest against the Gaza conflict. In Western capitals, student protests have pushed academic institutions in Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain to reconsider ties with Israeli counterparts. Cultural boycotts have also spread, with artists signing letters urging Israel to be excluded from major events like the Venice Biennale or Eurovision. Even as it has faced backlash, international isolation remains a notable feature of the current moment. [Citation: multinational reactions; cultural responses]
“We Will Stand Alone”
“Even if Israel must stand alone, we will stand by our path and strike at our enemies with resolve until victory,” Netanyahu proclaimed during a May Holocaust Remembrance Day address. Officials in Israel, branded with anti-Semitism accusations, strive to cushion the consequences of external pressure. Court rulings, arrest warrants, and admonitions from leaders in Washington have not deterred the prime minister, who remains focused on political survival. As street protests intensify, calls for Netanyahu to resign in favor of a ceasefire to free hostages grow louder, yet support for him persists among substantial segments of the Israeli public. [Citation: political commentary; public opinion polls]
Freeman argues that the sentiment is deeply rooted. “It is in the DNA of many Israelis to rely on themselves,” he explains. “Most Israelis do not welcome foreign interference in how they safeguard their security.” A recent television poll even suggested Netanyahu remains the preferred candidate for prime minister over Benny Gantz in the hypothetical vote. This suggests a persistent internal cohesion even amid external pressures. [Citation: public opinion data]