Does Israel face a ‘South Africa second’ over Gaza?

[ad_1] Paul Adams Diplomatic correspondent, Jerusalem

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/11fb/live/13eb0eb0-9231-11f0-9503-a35e38a7e112.jpg.webp" loading="eager" alt="Reuters Benjamin Netanyahu looking down as he speaks on stage" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Reuters Because the battle in Gaza grinds on, Israel's worldwide isolation seems to be deepening.

Is it approaching a "South Africa second", when a mixture of political strain, financial, sporting and cultural boycotts helped to pressure Pretoria to desert apartheid?

Or can the right-wing authorities of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu climate the diplomatic storm, leaving Israel free to pursue its objectives in Gaza and the occupied West Financial institution with out inflicting everlasting injury to its worldwide standing?

Two former prime ministers, Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, have already accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into a world pariah.

Because of a warrant issued by the Worldwide Legal Court docket, the variety of international locations Netanyahu can journey to with out the chance of being arrested has shrunk dramatically.

On the UN, a number of international locations, together with Britain, France, Australia, Belgium and Canada, have mentioned they're planning to recognise Palestine as a state subsequent week.

And Gulf international locations, reacting with fury to final Tuesday's Israeli assault on Hamas leaders in Qatar, have been assembly in Doha to debate a unified response, with some calling on international locations which get pleasure from relations with Israel to suppose once more.

However with photographs of hunger rising from Gaza over the summer time and the Israeli military poised to invade - and fairly probably destroy - Gaza Metropolis, increasingly more European governments are exhibiting their displeasure in ways in which transcend mere statements.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/1858/live/7e96ac40-922e-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters A tower in Gaza City collapses after it was hit by an Israeli missile " class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Reuters The Israeli navy is continuous with its offensive in Gaza regardless of worldwide condemnation

In the beginning of the month, Belgium introduced a sequence of sanctions, together with a ban on imports from unlawful Jewish settlements within the West Financial institution, a assessment of procurement insurance policies with Israeli corporations and restrictions on consular help to Belgians dwelling in settlements.

It additionally declared two hardline Israeli authorities ministers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, persona non grata, together with Jewish settlers accused of violence towards Palestinians within the West Financial institution.

Different international locations, together with Britain and France, had already taken related steps. However sanctions on violent settlers imposed by the Biden administration final 12 months have been scrapped on Donald Trump's first day again within the White Home.

Every week after Belgium's transfer, Spain introduced its personal measures, turning an present de facto arms embargo into legislation, asserting a partial import ban, barring entry to Spanish territory for anybody concerned in genocide or battle crimes in Gaza, and prohibiting Israel-bound ships and plane carrying weapons from docking at Spanish ports or coming into its airspace.

Israel's combative overseas minister, Gideon Saar, accused Spain of advancing antisemitic insurance policies and steered that Spain would endure greater than Israel from the arms commerce ban.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/9610/live/c9e420c0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="EPA Israeli lawmakers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich sitting in the Knesset during a parliamentary hearing" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> EPA Some international locations have sought to focus on far-right Israeli lawmakers Itamar Ben-Gvir (l) and Bezalel Smotrich

However there are different alarming indicators for Israel.

In August, Norway's huge $2tn (1.7tn euros; £1.6tn) sovereign wealth fund introduced it will begin divesting from corporations listed in Israel. By the center of the month, 23 corporations had been eliminated and finance minister Jens Stoltenberg mentioned extra might comply with.

In the meantime, the EU, Israel's largest buying and selling accomplice, plans to sanction far-right ministers and partly droop commerce components of its affiliation settlement with Israel.

In her 10 September State of the Union speech, EU Fee President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned occasions in Gaza had "shaken the conscience of the world".

A day later, 314 former European diplomats and officers wrote to von der Leyen and EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas calling for harder measures, together with a full suspension of the affiliation settlement.

One function of the sanctions levelled at South Africa between the Nineteen Sixties and the top of apartheid - a coverage of racial segregation and discrimination that was enforced by the white minority authorities in South Africa towards the nation's black majority - within the Nineteen Nineties was a sequence of cultural and sporting boycotts.

Once more, there are indicators of this beginning to occur with Israel.

The Eurovision Tune Contest won't sound like a big occasion on this context, however Israel has an extended and illustrious historical past with the competitors, profitable it 4 instances since 1973.

For Israel, participation is symbolic of the Jewish state's acceptance among the many household of countries.

However Eire, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia have all mentioned, or hinted, that they may withdraw in 2026 if Israel is allowed to compete, with a call anticipated in December.

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/e779/live/5ac970a0-922d-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="EPA Eden Golan representing Israel holds the flag of Israel on stage at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> EPA Israel has been a Eurovision common for the reason that Seventies however some international locations have threatened to boycott subsequent 12 months's competitors

In Hollywood, a letter calling for a boycott of Israeli manufacturing corporations, festivals and broadcasters "which can be implicated in genocide and apartheid towards the Palestinian folks" has attracted greater than 4,000 signatures in every week, together with family names like Emma Stone and Javier Bardem.

Tzvika Gottlieb, CEO of the Israeli Movie and TV Producers Affiliation, known as the petition "profoundly misguided".

"By concentrating on us – the creators who give voice to numerous narratives and foster dialogue – these signatories are undermining their very own trigger and trying to silence us," he mentioned.

Then there's sport. The Vuelta de Espana biking race was repeatedly disrupted by teams protesting the presence of the Israel-Premier Tech staff, forcing a messy, untimely finish on Saturday and the cancellation of the rostrum ceremony.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez known as the protests a supply of "delight", however opposition politicians mentioned authorities actions had triggered worldwide embarrassment.

Additionally in Spain, seven Israeli chess gamers withdrew from a match after being instructed they'd not be capable of compete underneath their flag.

The Israeli authorities's response to what the media have already dubbed a "diplomatic tsunami" has typically been defiant.

Netanyahu accused Spain of a "blatant genocidal menace" after its prime minister mentioned his nation, missing nuclear bombs, plane carriers or giant oil reserves, was not capable of cease Israel's offensive in Gaza by itself.

After Belgium introduced its sanctions, Gideon Saar wrote on X that it was "regrettable that even when Israel is combating an existential menace, which is in Europe's important curiosity, there are those that cannot resist their anti-Israeli obsession".

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0ab8/live/b4f6b9d0-922c-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters Spectators holding Palestinian flags line the route of a cycling race as a rider for the Israel Premier Tech teams rolls by" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Reuters The Vuelta, considered one of biking's main annual races, was repeatedly disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests

However amongst those that have represented Israel overseas, there's deep nervousness.

Jeremy Issacharoff, Israel's ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2021, instructed me he couldn't recall Israel's worldwide standing being so "impaired", however mentioned lots of the strikes have been "regrettable" as they have been inevitably being seen as concentrating on all Israelis.

"As a substitute of singling out the insurance policies of the federal government, it is alienating plenty of Israelis within the center floor."

He mentioned some steps, like recognising the state of Palestine, have been more likely to show counterproductive, because it "offers ammunition to folks like Smotrich and Ben Gvir and even enhances their argument to annex [the West Bank]".

Regardless of his fears, the previous ambassador doesn't consider Israel's diplomatic isolation is irreversible.

"We're not in a South African second, however we're in a potential preamble to a South African second," he mentioned.

Others consider extra profound change is required to halt Israel's slide in the direction of pariah standing.

"Now we have to regain our place within the household of countries," one other former diplomat, Ilan Baruch, instructed me.

"We have to get again to our senses."

Baruch, who was ambassador in South Africa a decade after the top of apartheid, resigned from the diplomatic service in 2011, saying he was now not capable of defend Israel's occupation. Since retiring, he is been a vocal critic of the federal government and supporter of a two-state resolution.

He believes latest sanctions are obligatory, saying: "That is how South Africa was pushed to its knees."

<img sizes="(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw" srcset="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/240/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 240w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/320/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 320w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 480w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/640/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 640w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/800/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 800w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1024/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1024w,https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/1536/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp 1536w" src="https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/0ab3/live/086859a0-922f-11f0-8fd6-f3e5d0b160a2.jpg.webp" loading="lazy" alt="Reuters US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visit the Western Wall" class="sc-86c96223-0 fHZDyi"/> Reuters Israel maintains the backing of the US, whose Secretary of State Marco Rubio is visiting this week

Baruch continued: "I'd say that assertive strain on Israel in any means the Europeans consider is at their disposal must be welcome."

If obligatory, he mentioned, this could embody modifications to visa regimes and cultural boycotts, including: "I am ready for the ache."

However for all of the expressions of shock and speak of strain, some veteran observers doubt Israel is on the sting of a diplomatic precipice.

"Those that are keen to go down the Spanish route are nonetheless outliers," Daniel Levy, a former Israeli peace negotiator, instructed me.

He mentioned efforts to take collective motion inside the EU – scrapping components of the affiliation settlement and even, as some have steered, freezing Israel out of the EU's Horizon analysis and innovation programme – are unlikely to garner enough assist, with Germany, Italy and Hungary amongst members resisting such strikes.

Israel additionally nonetheless has the staunch backing of the US, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Washington's "relationship with Israel goes to stay sturdy" as he departed for an official go to.

Levy nonetheless believes Israel's worldwide isolation is "irreversible" however says the Trump administration's continued assist means it has not but reached the purpose the place it could change the course of occasions in Gaza.