This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
Israel is facing mounting diplomatic pressure from several of its traditional partners over its policies in the occupied Palestinian territories and military actions in the region, with Israeli media describing the country’s international standing as increasingly strained.
Israeli news outlet Ynet reported Friday that a series of statements and measures from Australia, Britain, Canada, Germany and other countries in recent days had highlighted Israel’s growing international isolation, particularly in its relations with Europe.
The report pointed to criticism over Israel’s settlement plans in the occupied West Bank, its decision not to pursue a criminal investigation into the killing of seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers in Gaza, and its latest military action in Syria.
Six European countries condemned Israel’s plans for construction in the E1 area near the illegal Ma’ale Adumim settlement, according to Ynet.
The E1 project has long drawn international criticism because construction in the area would further fragment the occupied West Bank and undermine the territorial continuity of a future Palestinian state.
Britain, meanwhile, is considering additional measures against Israel over the settlement plans, the report said.
European officials have warned that construction in E1 poses an “existential threat” to the two-state solution, though some have also expressed concern that punitive measures ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election could strengthen Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing allies.
Western countries condemn decision on WCK killings
Australia, Britain and Canada also issued a joint condemnation after the Israeli military decided not to open a criminal investigation into the April 2024 strikes that killed seven WCK employees in Gaza.
The three countries described the decision as “shameful” and said the victims and their families deserved justice and accountability.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong separately expressed “outrage” over the decision, while Canada called it “unacceptable” and Britain said it was “appalled and angry” on behalf of the families of three British nationals killed in the attack.
READ: Gaza ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ undermining support even in ‘pro-Israel’ nations: Poland
Poland, whose citizen was also among those killed, expressed disappointment and called on Israeli authorities to cooperate with a Polish investigation.
The aid workers were killed when Israeli forces repeatedly struck their clearly marked convoy in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military acknowledged failures in the operation but concluded that the commanders’ actions did not raise reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct.
US criticism over Syria strike
The diplomatic pressure has also extended to Israel’s actions in Syria amid rising tensions with Turkiye.
Ynet highlighted criticism from the US following an Israeli strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military airbase, which has fueled tensions between Israel and Turkiye.
US Ambassador to Turkiye and Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack said Washington’s intelligence agencies had found no evidence supporting Israeli claims that Turkiye was moving military assets into the Syrian base.
The developments come amid growing debate inside Israel over Netanyahu’s foreign policy as the country heads toward parliamentary elections.
Recent Israeli analyses have increasingly focused on whether military and diplomatic confrontations could become part of Netanyahu’s election strategy.
Ynet has reported that concerns are growing that military escalation could be used for political gain, while another analysis said Netanyahu may have an incentive to portray resistance to international pressure as a political asset ahead of the vote.
Israel’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for Oct. 27.
READ: Israeli premier turns to anti-Turkiye campaign as polls show Likud losing ground
This work by Middle East Monitor is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
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