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Due to the ongoing war in Gaza, international public opinion is gradually turning against Israel. Several countries are reflecting this sentiment by condemning Israel's actions. In recent weeks, multiple Western nations have imposed sanctions on Israeli ministers, while the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement condemning the "unacceptable humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.
Earlier this week, a coalition of Global South countries, known as the "Hague Group," announced measures to curb Israel's actions in occupied Palestinian territories. Religious leaders, particularly following a recent Israeli attack on a Catholic church in Gaza, have also voiced criticism, alongside growing protests from political leaders and ordinary citizens worldwide.
Is international pressure mounting to stop Israel? Here's a closer look at what's happening:
### The Hague Group
According to its official website, the Hague Group is an international coalition of states committed to upholding international law and supporting Palestinians through "coordinated diplomatic and legal steps." The group includes eight countries: South Africa, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Malaysia, Namibia, and Senegal. Their goal is to protect fundamental human rights, including self-determination, based on the UN Charter.
This week, the group held a meeting in Bogotá, Colombia, attended by around 30 countries, including China, Spain, and Qatar, as well as UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese. She described the meeting as "the most significant political progress in the last 20 months."
*Israel’s far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir (left) and Bezalel Smotrich declared "undesirable persons" by Slovenian lawmakers.
The US administration under President Donald Trump recently imposed sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese for her reports accusing Israel of human rights violations in its operations against Palestinians in Gaza.
Following a two-day summit, 12 countries agreed on six measures to address Israel’s actions, including imposing arms embargoes, restricting the movement of arms-carrying ships, and reviewing government contracts with companies profiting from Israeli occupation.
### Countries Taking Action
On Wednesday, Slovenia barred Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and extremist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from entering its territory, citing the European Union's failure to address widespread human rights violations by Israel. In June, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and Norway imposed sanctions on these ministers for inciting violence and supporting illegal Jewish settlements in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
In May, the UK, France, and Canada issued a joint statement condemning Israel’s Gaza operations as "completely unjustifiable" and warned of "robust measures" if attacks continued.
The UK followed through by sanctioning certain settlement organizations and pausing free trade talks with Israel. Turkey announced in May that it would halt all trade with Israel until the humanitarian situation in Gaza improves.
In December 2023, South Africa filed a case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of genocide, supported by Colombia, Chile, Spain, Ireland, and Turkey. In January 2024, the ICJ issued an interim ruling stating there was a "plausible basis" for genocide claims and ordered Israel to ensure humanitarian aid access, a directive Israel has since halted as of March 2025.
*Jerusalem’s Latin Patriarch Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III visit the Holy Family Church in Gaza after an Israeli attack, July 18.*
### Further Criticism of Israel
On Thursday, an Israeli bombing of Gaza City’s Holy Family Church killed three people, prompting condemnation even from Israel’s close ally, the United States. President Trump reportedly had an "angry" phone call with Netanyahu, after which Netanyahu’s office expressed "deep regret" for the attack. Over 58,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Gaza due to Israeli attacks.
### Global Opposition to Israel
Mass protests against Israel’s war in Gaza are occurring worldwide, fueled by outrage over Israel’s actions and their impact on Palestinians. A June survey by YouGov in Western Europe showed an unprecedented decline in positive views toward Israel. A recent CNN poll in the US revealed similar sentiments, with only 23% of Americans believing Israel’s actions in Gaza are "fully justified," down from 50% in October 2023.
Opposition has also spread to cultural events, with artists and audiences at Germany’s Fusion Festival, Poland’s Open’er Festival, and the UK’s Glastonbury Festival condemning the Gaza war.
### Changes Within Israel
Anti-war protests in Israel, though small, are growing. The organization *Standing Together* unites Israeli and Palestinian citizens in activism. In April, the Israeli magazine *+972* reported that over 100,000 Israeli reservists have refused to serve, and open letters from within the military are expressing anti-war sentiments.
### Potential Outcomes
Despite domestic and international unpopularity, Netanyahu’s hardline coalition government continues its war against Hamas in Gaza. A recent government proposal to confine Gaza’s population to a so-called “humanitarian city” has been likened by critics to a “concentration camp,” seen as evidence of Israel’s disregard for international law and global opinion.
Despite recent criticism over the bombing of Gaza’s only Catholic church, US support for Israel remains strong, providing diplomatic cover through UN vetoes, military aid, and sanctions on Israel’s critics, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC). While this support currently shields Israel, growing international isolation could make economic and diplomatic challenges increasingly difficult in the future.
