International public opinion continues to oppose Israel because of the war against Gaza, and more governments are slowly beginning to reflect those voices and increase their own criticism of the country.
In the past few weeks, ministers of the Israeli government have been approved by several Western countries and issued joint statements denounced by the UK, France and Canada for “unbearable” levels of “human suffering” in Gaza.
Earlier this week, the Hague Group, a number of countries in the Global South, collectively agreed to a number of measures that would “control Israel’s attacks on occupied Palestinian territory.”
Worldwide and in an increasing number, following the masses, politicians and Israel’s strikes in the Catholic Church of Gaza, religious leaders are opposed to Israel’s murder in Gaza.
So is the power of the world approaching putting enough pressure on Israel to stop?
This is what we know.
What is the Hague Group?
According to its website, The Hague Group is a global bloc of nations working on “coordinated legal and diplomatic measures” to defend international law and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
It consists of eight countries. South Africa, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia and Senegal have set their mission to support international law and protect the principles set in the UN Charter.
Earlier this week, the Hague Group held a meeting of around 30 countries in Bogota, Colombian capital, including China, Spain and Qatar. Also attending the conference was UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who characterized the conference as “the most important political development of the past 20 months.”
Albanese was recently approved by the US for criticism of its ally, Israel.
At the end of the two-day meeting, the 12 countries attending agreed to six measures to limit Israel’s actions in Gaza. These measures included a review of public contracts for blocks to supply weapons to Israel, a ban on ships to transport weapons, and possible links with companies benefiting from Israel’s Palestinian occupation.
Have other governments taken action?
More and more.
On Wednesday, Slovenia banned far-right national security minister Itamar Ben Gwil and supranational finance minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering the territory after it failed to agree to measures to address measures to address widespread human rights abuse charges against Israel.
Slovenia’s ban on two government ministers is based on previous sanctions imposed on Smotrich and Ben Gwil in June by Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK and Norway over “inciting violence.” The two men were one of the most vocal Israeli ministers, refusing to compromise in negotiations with the Palestinians, seeking Jewish settlements in Gaza, and for the construction of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In May, the UK, France and Canada issued a joint statement describing Israel’s escalation of its campaign against Gaza as “completely disproportionate” and promising “concrete action” against Israel if the attacks are not stopped.
Later that month, the UK following its warning, announced sanctions against a small number of settler organizations and announcing a “pause” in free trade negotiations with Israel.
Also in May, Turkiye announced that it would block all trade with Israel until Gaza’s humanitarian situation is resolved.
South Africa first launched its genocide lawsuit against Israel at the International Court of Justice in late December 2023, and has since been supported by other countries such as Colombia, Chile, Spain, Ireland and Torquier.
In January 2024, the ICJ issued a preliminary ruling, finding what is called a “plausible” litigation for Genocide and instructing Israel to take emergency measures, including providing assistance that the government has effectively blocked since March of this year.
What other criticisms have you received against Israel?
Israel bombed the Holy Family Church in Gaza on Thursday, killing three people, and taking a rare responsibilities from Israel’s most stubborn ally, the United States.
Following what was reported as “angry” calls by President Trump after the bombing, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has issued a statement expressing “deep regret” over the attack.
So far, Israel has killed more than 58,000 people in Gaza, the majority of women and children.
Has the tide changed internationally?
Massive protests against Israel’s war with Gaza continue throughout the world throughout that period.
And there are clear indications of growing anger over the atrocities of war and the sacrifices challenging the Palestinians of Gaza.
In Western Europe, a survey conducted by voting company Yougov in June found that pure affinity towards Israel had reached its lowest decline since the pursuit began.
A similar poll created by CNN this week found similar results among Americans, with only 23% of respondents who agreed that Israeli actions in Gaza had been fully justified, down from 50% in October 2023.
Public fury has also been found at high-profile public events, such as the German Fusion Festival, the Poland Open Festival, and the UK’s Glastonbury Festival.
Has anything changed in Israel?
Protests against the war remain small, but they are growing alongside the organization, standing together and bringing together Israeli and Palestinian activists to protest the war.
There is also an increasing number of prep workers who refuse to show up for obligation. In April, Israel magazine +972 reported that more than 100,000 reservists refused to follow their duties.
Is there a difference?
Netanyahu’s solid coalition has been pursuing a war with Gaza for some time despite its national and international unpopularity.
The government’s latest proposal, while limiting all Gaza’s population to what is called “humanitarian cities,” is likened to concentration camps, and is taken as evidence that many of its critics no longer care about either international law or global opinion.
Internationally, despite recent criticism of Israel for bombing one Catholic church in Gaza, US support for Israel remains. For many in Israel, US support, particularly President Donald Trump, is still a diplomatic absolute that can be relied on surviving the diplomatic storm that actions in Gaza could pose.
In addition to its support, diplomatic guarantees through the use of US veto at the UN Security Council and military support through its broad arms is the US use of sanctions against Israeli critics. For example, members were approved after the warrants for Joavant issued in June with Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Joavant.
So, in the short term, Israel feels ultimately protected as long as it has US support. But as it becomes more international pariah, economic and diplomatic isolation may become more difficult.
