The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in a significant shift in global support for Israel. Initially, world leaders expressed sympathy and visited the region to comfort the people, with diplomats posing for photos at the scene of the massacre with somber expressions. The US president sent aircraft carriers to protect Israel, while the European Union emphasized Israel’s duty to defend itself. Arms shipments arrived from Germany and Britain, and EU leaders declared Hamas outside the limits of legitimacy.
However, as tensions escalated over the Rafah issue and Israel refused to involve the Palestinian Authority in the future of Gaza, international support for Israel began to wane. The erosion of support culminated in de facto arms embargoes imposed by European countries and a possible international isolation of Israel. Tragic incidents such as the killing of foreign activists further fueled criticism of Israel.
The shift in public opinion has resulted in a significant diminishment of Israel’s international credit, potentially impacting its ability to respond to new fronts in the north and renewed fighting in Gaza. As a result, Israel is undergoing a transformation from an ally to a potential threat to world peace, with a growing minority of supporters compared to those backing Palestinians. If this trend continues, it may lead to increased pressure on Israel and its leadership, potentially resulting in international backlash and isolation.