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Many of Israel’s Western allies are quickly abandoning the Jewish state in protest over the all-out war and worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, according to a new report.
Before Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu greenlit a plan to block all aid from entering Gaza in March, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar told the premier that such a move would trigger international backlash, drive away Israel’s allies and force a U-turn on the blockade, ultimately accomplishing nothing, Axios reported.
“This is exactly what happened,” a senior Israeli official told the outlet over the latest developments in Gaza.
Dozens of countries that have previously supported Israel, are now criticizing Netanyahu and threatening sanctions — including the UK, France, Canada and Spain.
“It was a huge mistake and was done mostly for domestic political considerations,” they added.
Netanyahu admitted to caving to international pressure last week when he ordered “basic” humanitarian aid to resume entering Gaza after allies warned him that they would not be able to support Israel amid widespread images of starving Palestinians.
But with only a few dozen trucks entering at a time — many of which have been ransacked by looters before ever reaching civilians — the shadow of famine still looms over the Palestinian enclave.
The lack of aid saw President Emmanuel Macron of France, Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada and Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the UK threaten sanctions against Israel over the humanitarian crisis, as well as Netanyahu’s plan to occupy the entirety of the Gaza Strip and force Palestinians to undergo “voluntary migration.”
“If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,” the western leaders said in a joint statement.
Spain is now hosting talks with 20 European and Arab leaders on the matter, with Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares calling for a united effort to sanction Israel and stop the war.
“We must consider sanctions, we must do everything, consider everything to stop this war,” Albares said.
He was one of the 17 European Union foreign ministers who backed a motion last brought by the Netherlands, one of Israel’s key allies in the region, to reconsider the EU’s cooperation pact with Israel.
If it moves forward, it would serve as the latest blow to the Jewish state after the UK chose to suspend free trade negotiations with Israel last week over the Gaza war.
Despite dwindling support in Europe and Canada, Netanyahu enjoys steadfast public support from the US and President Trump.
Trump and his top aides, however, have reportedly begun to signal apprehension at the war effort and lack of aid entering Gaza during private meetings, according to Axios.
Netanyahu maintains that nothing will stop Israel from taking over the entirety of Gaza and eliminating Hamas, who have 58 hostages in custody.
The premier has also vowed to implement Trump’s controversial plan to expel Gaza’s nearly 2 million refugee population in order to level the war-torn enclave and construct a “riviera,” with no word if Palestinians would ever be allowed to return.
English (US)