Desk Report,
Is Israel on the verge of international isolation?
International public opinion is gradually turning against Israel due to the war in Gaza. Many countries are now reflecting that public opinion and condemning Israel.
Is Israel on the verge of international isolation?
In the past few weeks, several Western countries have imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers. The UK, France and Canada have condemned the unbearable humanitarian disaster in Gaza in a joint statement.
Earlier this week, several countries belonging to the Global South (collectively ‘The Hague Group’) announced a number of measures to prevent Israeli attacks on the occupied Palestinian territories.
Religious leaders around the world, especially after the recent Israeli attack on a Catholic church in Gaza, have also spoken out against Israel. Protests by political leaders and ordinary people are growing.
So is international pressure building to stop Israel? Let’s find out what is really happening: According to The Hague Group’s own website, it is an international coalition of states. The alliance is committed to taking “coordinated diplomatic and legal action” to uphold international law and stand with the Palestinians.
The group, which includes eight countries—South Africa, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia and Senegal—seeks to uphold international law, the right to self-determination and the fundamental rights of all peoples, including those enshrined in the UN Charter.
The group held a meeting in Bogota, Colombia, this week. About 30 countries, including China, Spain and Qatar, participated in the meeting. UN Special Envoy Francesca Albanese was present. She described the meeting as “the most important political development in the last 20 months.”
The administration of US President Donald Trump recently imposed sanctions on UN Special Envoy Albanese for reporting on human rights violations in Israel’s campaign against Palestinians in Gaza.
At the end of the two-day conference, 12 countries agreed on six measures to curb Israel’s activities. These include banning arms sales to Israel, blocking ships carrying weapons, and reviewing government contracts with entities that benefit from the Israeli occupation.
Some countries have taken action
On Wednesday, Slovenia barred Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gavir and his hardline Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its territory, citing the wider European Union’s failure to act to address allegations of widespread human rights abuses against Israel.
Earlier in June, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Norway imposed sanctions on the two ministers for inciting violence. The two ministers have been at the forefront of supporting illegal Jewish settlements in Gaza and expanding illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In May, the UK, France and Canada issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s Gaza offensive, calling it “totally disproportionate” and warning of “strong action” against Israel if it did not stop its attacks.
The UK later followed up on their warnings by imposing sanctions on some settler companies and declaring a “pause” in free trade talks with Israel.
Turkey also said in May that it would suspend all trade with Israel until the humanitarian situation in Gaza improved.
In December 2023, South Africa filed the first genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Colombia, Chile, Spain, Ireland and Turkey then supported South Africa.
In January last year, the ICJ ruled in a provisional ruling that there were “probable grounds for genocide” against Israel. The court also ordered Israel to take urgent steps, including ensuring immediate humanitarian assistance, which Israel has blocked since March of this year.
