From ally to outcast: How international opinion is turning against Israel

Following global grassroots campaigns calling for sanctions on Israel to pressure the regime to stop the genocidal war and starvation in Gaza, the Financial Times highlighted that calls for boycotts across sports, arts, and academia have risen significantly. International anger over the two-year war led by Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet—pursued by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and described as genocide—continues to grow.

The newspaper reported that many in the heart of New York were shocked by a massive billboard in Times Square accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. In London, dozens of artists and musicians, including James Blake and Pink Panther, recently joined Hollywood stars such as Richard Gere for the “Together for Palestine” concert.

Expansion of multilateral boycott campaigns in Europe

The Financial Times added that retired French footballer Eric Cantona has called for Israeli teams to be boycotted, comparing Israel to apartheid-era South Africa. Protests against Israel have spread to European football stadiums, with Galatasaray fans in Turkey raising banners reading “Free Palestine.” The Italian Football Coaches Association has also called for Israel’s suspension from international competitions.

The report continued: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez demanded a ban on Israeli teams in all international sports after public protests forced the Israeli cycling team “Primetić” to withdraw from the final stage of the Vuelta a España. These efforts are part of the “Game Over Israel” campaign, initiated worldwide to demand Israel’s exclusion from international sports.

According to the report, activists such as Omar Barghouti, co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, argue that the world has reached a historic turning point. Calls for sanctions against Israel—from international artists to leaders of countries such as Colombia and Spain—have become normalized in Western capitals.

The Financial Times emphasized that boycott campaigns are not limited to sports: more than 4,500 artists and directors have signed pledges to avoid working with Israeli film institutions. Spanish actor Javier Bardem appeared on the red carpet wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh, while European actress Hannah Ein Binder ended her awards speech shouting “Free Palestine.”

Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Slovenia have threatened to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel participates. Meanwhile, universities in Italy, Ireland, and the Netherlands have suspended cooperation with Israeli academic institutions. Activists argue that pressures in scientific, sports, and cultural sectors could push governments toward political action against Israel.

Israel’s expanding international isolation

The report noted that despite repeated denials of genocide by Israeli officials, the regime faces increasing international isolation. Several nations have suspended arms sales to Israel, and Israeli analysts warn that the “Jewish state” is being rejected globally and is on the verge of collapse.

Drawing parallels with apartheid-era South Africa, many activists believe that growing public pressure across multiple sectors could reach a tipping point, change the course of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and confront Israel with challenges similar to those faced by apartheid South Africa decades ago.

Before October 7, 2023, when the Al-Aqsa Storm unfolded, displaying the Palestinian flag in Europe was unprecedented and required great courage. Decades of expensive propaganda by Zionism and its supporters had portrayed Palestinians and resistance as “terrorists,” and even showing solidarity with Palestinians was criminalized.

Since the onset of the Gaza war, now approaching its second anniversary, the situation has shifted dramatically. Israelis are now the target of European public anger, so much so that they fear speaking Hebrew or revealing their identities in European countries due to the atrocities committed against Gaza’s population and the ongoing famine.

Today, the situation in Europe has completely changed: Israeli flags are displayed only secretly, and Europeans no longer see Israel as a victim but as a perpetrator. Polls in the U.S. and Europe indicate that public attitudes toward Zionism have shifted significantly, with Israel’s popularity plummeting across the continent.

Israeli officials admit that travel to Europe has become very dangerous. Israelis are no longer welcomed and must hide their identities out of fear for their lives.

The Israeli embassy spokesperson in France confirmed that conditions have changed dramatically since October 7, advising Israeli tourists to avoid displaying any symbols of their identity, refrain from attending major events, and stay away from pro-Palestinian gatherings in European capitals.

For this reason, Israel’s Channel 13 recently acknowledged: “The cost of war is very high, we are alone in the world, and apart from Trump and his administration, no one is on our side.” The channel emphasized that even the European Union, which invests approximately €70 billion annually in Israel, is likely to withdraw its support soon. All matters regarding Israel will change, and the regime will become isolated.

Collapse of the Zionist narrative

The Washington Post reported that images of Gaza’s suffering—emaciated children, destroyed hospitals, grieving families—have fueled global, especially European, hatred of Israel. These images revealed the reality that Israel had long hidden: the world now sees that anyone seeking peace does not massacre children, starve them, or target those seeking basic food.

Western citizens are revisiting the history of Arab-Israeli conflict, questioning the narrative promoted by Zionism and its supporters. Despite Israel taking pride in its actions and treating them as achievements, the regime has lost credibility among even its closest allies and on European streets. Western leaders will soon have to take a firm anti-Zionist stance before facing unprecedented social and political challenges.