After the war of more than 18 months in Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin seems to be wearing a thinner international patience with Netanyahu. Most particularly, close colleagues like Germany and the United States have seen a change in rhetoric that challenges Israel’s prolonged diplomatic insulation.
Increasing restlessness in Germany
German Chancellor Frederick Merz has criticized Israel’s strategy in Gaza rare and indicated. At the “Ray: Public” Conference in Berlin on Monday, Merz said that the pain of citizens as part of the Israeli battle against Hamas can no longer be justified “.He emphasized the unique responsibility of Germany towards Israel, but said: “But when the boundary crosses and the human international law is clearly violated, the Germany – and the German Chancellor – should speak.” He said that Israel should not work in ways that can also separate its closest colleagues.German Foreign Minister Johan Wadeful on Monday called the human situation “unbearable” in Gaza and called for more effective assistance distribution. He accepted the challenge of balanced Germany for Israel with the values of human dignity and international law.In 2023, Germany approved Israel’s exports to Israel for € 326.5 million ($ 363.5 million), including military equipment and war weapons, 10 times in 2022. In 2024, it was at € 161.1 million ($ 182.8 million).
Pressure from america
Criticism of the United States, closest to Israel, is also growing. In a departure with his previous support, President Donald Trump told reporters in New Jersey: “Israel, we are talking to him, and we want to see if we can stop that whole situation as soon as possible.”Large -scale symbolic, these comments mark a change, Elena Aon said, from Professor DW of International Relations in Euclven. “Donald Trump is not as happy with Netanyahu as he was at the beginning of his mandate. There is definitely more stress.”Nevertheless, Aon underlines that despite the change in rhetoric, financial assistance to American military and Israel remains uninterrupted.
European Union alert, but cracks appear in the block
The European Union has also taken temporary steps towards revaluation of its relations with Israel. Last week, Foreign Ministers announced a review of the European Union-Israel Association Agreement, which controls trade and political relations. Kaza Kalas, head of the European Union’s foreign policy, described the current level of humanitarian aid entering Gaza as a “decline in the ocean”.However, as Aoun comments: “This is a change of words, not yet works. Reviewing the trade agreement is just the beginning. The European Union still will still have to decide whether Israel is violating Article 2.” This article combines trade between blocks and Israel for human rights obligations.A total of 17 out of 27 members of the European Union supported the review. Germany, Hungary and Czech Republic were among those who opposed the move, Israel thanked him in public.In an interview with DW, the researcher’s Ameli Frey at the security center of Ephri in Paris stated that Europe’s advantage on the conflict is limited: “America is the main weapon and closing supplier, so their support, or its lack, is the biggest difference.”
Icc warrant
Next to the criticism of international leaders, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister and Defense Minister Yov Galant last November.Symbolically, this step is important, but in the context of a real change, it remains limited, Aun says. “Germany, Hungary, France and Belgium have indicated everyone that they will not implement warrant. This shows the international justice system weak.”Féyy disagree. He emphasized that the arrest warrant prohibits the freedom of the movement of Netanyahu and his senior officials, which makes them frightened by arrest, they should visit a country that can implement the warrant.The move has for the first time the ICC targeted a democratic country’s sitting leader with such allegations on a living struggle. Netanyahu dismissed the allegations, called them “derogatory” and insisted that Israel is working in self -defense.
Internal pressure
Meanwhile, Israel’s military campaign continues in Gaza. The Israeli army claims that it now controls about 40% of the area, and is planning to capture 75% within the next two months.Despite allowing limited assistance after eleven weeks of blockage, the human situation remains strict, with support agencies such as the International Red Cross. According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, around 54,000 Palestinians have allegedly killed in Gaza and around 122,000 were injured.The Israeli government has faced criticism not only on Gaza, but also its policies in the West Bank. The UK has approved the extremists of Israel to carry forward an notable growth of illegal settlement expansion, British policy.Inside Israel, public opposition is also increasing. Demonstrations continue by hostage families and civil society groups. But researcher Elena Aun says that most of the public still supports the war: “Polls shows that more than 50% support supports running operations.”
Target under consideration
Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted that the purpose of the military campaign is to destroy Hamas. But analysts like Aoun suspect: “War has been going on for two years. What is new is international perception, especially around Palestinian suffering. Nevertheless, no strategic goals of Israel have been clearly achieved. ,Here, also, the researcher Amelie Frey has a different opinion: “If the objective was destroying the military threat, Hamas introduced it. [Israeli army] ID, then this purpose has been obtained. “However, he agrees that political questions and long -lasting peace objectives are more complex.
European reliability on line
As amelie ferey, European reliability is tested on Gaza, as it manifests to apply a dual standard while talking about Israel: “European Union Union increases the principle of self -determination in the case of Ukraine, yet appears unwell to apply the same standard for Palestinians in Gaza.”She welcomes the plan to review the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which is the first major step in the right direction, but underlines that Europe now requires a clear road map towards two-statues.Both researchers agree that next week will be decisive. Netanyahu also seems frightening, as his colleagues.But critics are far from united. While the symbolic gestures are many times the question, the question remains whether they will be done after the kind of international pressure that can force the real policy change on the ground.
