Israel’s isolation deepens as Western allies turn up heat

After 19 months of war in Gaza, Israel is now facing growing pressure from some of its closest Western allies. The pressure escalated earlier this month when Israel launched an operation to reoccupy and flatten Gaza, rather than accept a deal to free the hostages and end the war.

The ongoing offensive, worsening hunger, and tragedies such as last weekend’s Israeli air strike—killing nine of a doctor’s ten children—have intensified international scrutiny.

While US President Trump and his aides have privately urged Netanyahu to wind down the war and allow aid in, other world leaders have gone public. On 19 May, the British, French and Canadian leaders issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s “egregious actions” in Gaza. The leaders noted that the 11-week blockade on humanitarian aid had caused “intolerable” human suffering.

“We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions. If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response,” said French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. 

Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman plan to co-host a UN conference next month promoting a two-state solution, and may announce unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.

Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Sunday urged the international community to impose sanctions on Israel to stop the ongoing war in Gaza. Speaking ahead of a summit in Madrid that will bring together representatives from 20 European and Arab nations, Albares told France Info radio, "We must stop this war, which no longer has any objective." Spain, along with Norway and Ireland, recognised a Palestinian state last year.

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, responded angrily the prospect of further recognition of a Palestinian state, saying it offerred Hamas a “huge prize” for its 7 October attack. British Foreign Secretary David Lammy rebutted, stating: “Opposing the expansion of a war that’s killed thousands of children is not rewarding Hamas.”

Last week, Australia joined 23 other nations in demanding the full resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The joint statement accused Israel of politicising the delivery of essential food and medicine with its limited aid access.

“It places beneficiaries and aid workers at risk, undermines the role and independence of the UN and our trusted partners, and links humanitarian aid to political and military objectives,” they said. “Humanitarian aid should never be politicised, and Palestinian territory must not be reduced or subjected to demographic change.”

Yesterday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Israel’s restrictions on aid as “completely unacceptable”. He said: “It is outrageous that there be a blockade of food and supplies to people in need in Gaza. We’ve made that very clear by signing on to international statements.” He added: “We find Israel’s excuses and explanations completely untenable and without credibility. People are starving, and the idea that a democratic state withholds supply is an outrage.”

When asked whether he would join the UK and Canada in threatening concrete action, Albanese noted that Australia had instead joined a broader coalition of 24 countries making similar demands.

Public pressure on the issue is increasing. A new YouGov poll commissioned by Oxfam Australia and other organisations found that:

Some international governments are already taking action against Israel. The UK has suspended trade negotiations with Israel and imposed new sanctions on Israeli settlers involved in violent attacks on Palestinians. The EU has passed Dutch motion to review the EU’s trade and cooperation pact with Israel

Canada, France and the UK have all threatened “concrete actions” unless Israel halts its military offensive and lifts the aid blockade.

According to Catherine Gegout of the University of Nottingham, writing in The Conversation, these actions could include:

Another action hinted at on Monday by the EU sports chief is banning Israel from sporting competitions. When asked how the sporting world should respond to the crisis in Gaza, the EU’s sports chief, Glenn Micallef, signalled that there should be “no space” in events for countries that do not share “our values”. “When it comes to sports, I think there should be no space in sporting events for those who do not share our values,” he told Politico, without naming Israel directly, in response to a question about whether the country should face sporting sanctions over the Gaza war. “Sport is a tool that we use to promote peace, through which we promote human rights.”

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What action can Israel’s allies take over its expansion of military operations in Gaza? (Catherine Gegout, The Conversation)

Israel is losing almost all its allies as it forges on in Gaza (Barak Ravid, Axios)

Israel is facing unprecedented pressure from allies over its war on Gaza. Can they force it to change its ways? (CNN)

‘One of the most heartbreaking tragedies’: Gaza doctor’s last goodbye before nine children killed in airstrike (The Guardian)

Albanese says Israel's 'excuses' for withholding Gaza aid are not credible (ABC)