On the international stage, movements such as BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) have gained new momentum, while negative opinions about Israel have increased in most countries, including important European countries. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken on global proportions, often escalating tensions and clashes, including attacks on Jews and Muslims.
After more than 75 years of conflict with its neighbors, Israel, a state the size of New Jersey, has managed to significantly weaken its adversaries, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and even their backer Iran. This military buildup has given Israel, for the first time since its founding in 1948, a more peaceful outlook, with the threat of a nuclear Iran diminished and more stable, if tense, relations with the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. However, the cost is high.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s harsh military response to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 dead and 250 hostages, has placed Israel in a difficult international position, where it is often accused of war crimes and genocide. The war in Gaza has left tens of thousands of people dead and more than 1 million homeless, while thousands of Israeli soldiers have lost their lives and hostages still remain in Hamas hands. In the US, support for Israel has become a highly sensitive and polarized issue, with strong clashes in Congress and numerous protests, as well as an increase in anti-Semitic incidents. Within Israel, the decision to prioritize military victories over the return of hostages has caused “deep wounds” and tensions in relations with the Arab minority.
Diplomatically, the conflicts have damaged hopes for normalization of relations with Gulf countries, especially Saudi Arabia, and have escalated violence in the West Bank. However, there are signs of dialogue with Syria and the possibility of a return to normalization with Saudi Arabia after the end of the war in Gaza.
On the international stage, movements such as BDS (boycott, divestment, sanctions) have gained new momentum, while negative opinions about Israel have increased in most countries, including important European countries. Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have taken on global proportions, often escalating tensions and clashes, including attacks on Jews and Muslims. While many Israelis support these struggles for the country’s security, feelings of insecurity and social divisions are growing inside and outside Israel, challenging Prime Minister Netanyahu and raising concerns about the future of the Region and peace. (The New York Times)