As Israel continues to strike Gaza at will after unilaterally withdrawing from a carefully crafted ceasefire with Hamas that could lead to an eventual peace deal, international sympathy and support for the Jewish state is steadily eroding.
Britain’s Keir Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron and Canada’s Mark Carney on Monday condemned Israel for its "egregious actions" in Gaza and the decision for fresh military offensive in the Palestinian territory.
Monday’s statement criticizing Israel for its insatiable appetite to continue the fighting is a rare rebuke from the staunch defenders of Israel’s action after the October 7 Hamas attack shows the growing frustration of those who once supported the military action against Hamas ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The three leaders called for a halt to Israel’s military operations and urged the IDF to allow humanitarian aid to flow to the besieged population in Gaza. Israel had stopped humanitarian aid into the tiny enclave since March 1. Critics say it is aimed at starving people out of their homeland.
Earlier Israel said it would begin another ground offensive and hold on to the territory it captures. Since Monday five supply trucks were allowed into Gaza, but this is a drop in the ocean considering that two million people have had no recourse to food, medicine or water for nearly two months.
“We are committed to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to achieving a two-state solution and are prepared to work with others to this end,” the three leaders said in the statement. Netanyahu hit back saying London, Paris and Ottawa were “offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7 while inviting more such atrocities.”
The three countries also warned that unless the military offensive came to an end, Israel could face sanctions . While sanctions appear remote, the fact remains that the political tone of Western leaders are gradually changing.
After the October 7 attack by Hamas, there was overwhelming support for Israel. The US and most Western countries grieved with Israel and supported military action against Hamas.
The US and the West provided Israel with sophisticated arms including bunker busting bombs, that were used indiscriminately and against civilians.
Despite the killings of civilians, attacks on hospitals and UN aid workers, killing of Palestinian journalists and complete disregard to the rules of war laid down by the Geneva Convention, Netanyahu and Israel were allowed to do pretty much what they wanted. There was not a whimper of criticism from either the US or the Western democracies.
But the Global South had little sympathy for Israel’s actions on civilians, including children and women. South Africa led the charge and accused Israel of genocide. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Benjamin Netanyahu.
But now three years down the line, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet of religious hardliners, are facing a back lash from the international community. Monday’s strong statement by the three leaders shows how the pendulum is gradually swinging against Israel.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, one of the earliest European leaders to criticize Israeli action called it a ``genocidal state’’ and said Madrid does not do business with such nations. Macron dubbed Israel’s policy in Gaza as "shameful".’
Many Israeli citizens, and not just the relatives of the few remaining hostages, are critical of Netanyahu’s unending war with no respite in sight. So far the Israeli Prime Minister has given no hint what his plans are for the day after the war.
At the moment he is talking of permanent occupation of the Gaza Strip. While missile strikes and bombs can reduce cities and towns to rubble, holding on to the enclave will be a difficult proposition.
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