Israel is facing increasing international criticism as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advances plans for a full military takeover of Gaza. This strategy coincides with a growing humanitarian crisis in the region, drawing sharp condemnation from both traditional allies and human rights organizations. As global perceptions of Israel deteriorate, the country is experiencing a significant crisis in its international credibility.
According to a recent Pew Research poll conducted in early 2025, negative views of Israel now outweigh positive ones in multiple countries, including the Netherlands (78%), Japan (79%), and Australia (74%). The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, citing accusations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Critics, including international law experts and human rights advocates, have characterized Israel’s actions in Gaza as tantamount to genocide.
Notably, Israel’s former leaders, such as former prime ministers Ehud Olmert and Ehud Barak, have also criticized the current government’s approach. Prominent figures within the Israeli literary and religious communities, including writer David Grossman and Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, have joined the call for a change in direction. Furthermore, hundreds of retired Israeli security officials have urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Netanyahu to cease military operations.
Shifting Alliances and Global Sentiment
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighted by images of malnourished children, has prompted long-standing allies to reevaluate their support for Israel. In a notable shift, France announced plans to recognize Palestinian statehood in September 2025, with the United Kingdom and Canada indicating they would follow suit. Germany has also initiated steps toward recognition, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese suggested that formal recognition of Palestine is imminent.
Calls for the suspension of the European Union’s trade agreement with Israel have emerged from Spain and Sweden, with the Netherlands formally labeling Israel a “security threat.” Despite these developments, both Israel and the United States have dismissed the allegations and actions against them. As Israel finds itself increasingly isolated on the global stage, its reliance on American support has intensified.
Without the substantial military aid provided by the United States, including billions of dollars in arms exports, Israel would struggle to sustain its military campaigns in Gaza and its ongoing occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Although Trump has been a staunch ally of Israel, discontent is growing among the American electorate regarding Netanyahu’s influence in Washington. A March 2025 Gallup poll revealed that fewer than half of Americans expressed sympathy toward Israel, with some members of Trump’s own political base, such as strategist Steve Bannon and congressional representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, voicing skepticism about continued support.
Israeli Public Opinion and the Future
Domestically, many Israelis are disillusioned with Netanyahu and his far-right government, particularly due to the ongoing hostilities and the failure to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas. A recent survey by Israel’s Channel 12 indicated that 74% of Israelis support negotiating an end to the conflict in exchange for the release of remaining hostages. Yet, there remains a stark pessimism regarding the possibility of a two-state solution.
Polling commissioned by a US academic found that 82% of Jewish Israelis favored the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza. Another Pew survey revealed that just 16% of Jewish Israelis believe peaceful coexistence with a Palestinian state is achievable, marking the lowest figure since the question was first posed in 2013. These statistics suggest a significant shift toward the extreme end of the political spectrum regarding Palestinian statehood.
In response to mounting international pressure, Netanyahu has allowed a small increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Nonetheless, his intention to pursue a full military takeover suggests a continuation of aggressive policies that disregard international sentiment. As the Israeli government remains committed to eliminating Hamas, the prospect of a two-state solution appears increasingly unattainable.
For the United States and its allies, aligning with global sentiment is crucial to avoid further isolation of Israel. Failure to address these issues may deepen existing rifts between the US and its traditional allies in an increasingly polarized international landscape.
