After more than 18 months of war in Gaza, international patience with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to be wearing thin. Most notably, close allies like Germany and the United States have seen a shift in rhetoric that challenges Israel’s long-standing diplomatic insulation.
Growing unease in Germany
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has voiced rare and pointed criticism of Israel’s strategy in Gaza. At the conference “re:publica” in Berlin on Monday, Merz stated that the suffering of civilians “can no longer be justified” as part of Israel’s fight against Hamas.He emphasized Germany’s unique responsibility towards Israel but added: “But when limits are crossed and humanitarian international law is clearly violated, then Germany — and the German Chancellor — must speak out.” He added that Israel must not act in ways that could alienate even its closest allies.Germany’s Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul on Monday also described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “unbearable” and called for a more effective aid delivery. He acknowledged the challenge of balancing Germany’s commitment to Israel with the values of human dignity and international law.In 2023, Germany approved arms exports to Israel worth €326.5 million ($363.5 million), including military equipment and war weapons, a 10-fold increase from 2022. In 2024, it was at €161.1 million ($182.8 million).
Pressure from the US
Criticism from the United States, Israel’s closest ally, is also mounting. In a departure from his previous support, President Donald Trump told reporters in New Jersey: “Israel, we’ve been talking to them, and we want to see if we can stop that whole situation as quickly as possible.”While largely symbolic, these comments mark a shift, said Elena Aoun, professor of international relations at UCLouvain to DW. “Donald Trump is not as happy with Netanyahu as he was at the start of his mandate. There is definitely more tension.”Nevertheless, Aoun underlines that despite rhetoric changes, US military and financial support to Israel remains uninterrupted.
EU cautious, but cracks appear in bloc
The European Union has also taken tentative steps towards reevaluating its relationship with Israel. Last week, foreign ministers announced a review of the EU-Israel association agreement, which governs trade and political ties. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described the current level of humanitarian aid entering Gaza as “a drop in the ocean.”However, as Aoun remarks: “It’s a change of words, not yet of actions. Reviewing the trade agreement is only the beginning. The EU must still decide if Israel is breaching Article 2.” This article ties the trade between the bloc and Israel to human rights obligations.A total of 17 out of the EU’s 27 members backed the review. Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic were among those who opposed the move, with Israel thanking them publicly.In an interview with DW, Amélie Férey from the Researcher at Security Center of Ifri in Paris underlined that Europe’s leverage on the conflict remains limited: “The US are the main weapon and finacial suppliers, therefore their support, or the lack of it, make the biggest difference.”
The ICC warrant
Next to international leaders’ criticism, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant last November.Symbolically, the move is significant, but in terms of a real change, it remains limited, says Aoun. “Germany, Hungary, France and Belgium have all indicated they won’t enforce the warrants. This shows a weakening of the international justice mechanisms.”Férey disagrees. She emphasized that the arrest warrant restricts the freedom of movement of Netanyahu and his senior officials, making them fearful of arrest should they travel to a country that might enforce the warrant.The move marks the first time the ICC has targeted the sitting leader of a democratic country with such charges over a live conflict. Netanyahu rejected the accusations, calling them “disgraceful” and insisting that Israel is acting in self-defense.
Internal pressure
In the meantime, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza continues. The Israeli army claims it now controls roughly 40% of the territory, and plans to capture 75% within the next two months.Despite allowing limited aid through after an eleven-week blockage, the humanitarian situation remains dire, say aid agencies like the International Red Cross. According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza, around 54,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed in Gaza and around 122,000 injured.The Israeli government has faced criticism not only over Gaza, but also over its policies in the West Bank. The UK has sanctioned far-right Israeli extremists pushing illegal settlement expansion, a notable escalation of British policy.Inside Israel, public opposition is growing, too. Demonstrations by hostage families and civil society groups continue. But researcher Elena Aoun points out that the majority of the public still backs the war: “Polls show that a bit over 50% support ongoing operations.”
Strategic goals in question
Prime Minister Netanyahu insists the military campaign aims to dismantle Hamas. But analysts like Aoun remain skeptical: “The war has been going on for two years. What’s new is the international perception, especially around the Palestinian suffering. Still, none of Israel’s strategic goals have been clearly achieved.”Here, too, researcher Amélie Férey has a different opinion: “If the aim was destroying the military threat Hamas posed to the [Israeli army] IDS, then this aim has been achieved.” However, she agrees that political questions and long-lasting peace objectives remain more complicated to attain.
European credibility on the line
As for Amelie Ferey, European credibility is tested over Gaza, as it appears to apply a double standard when it comes to Israel: “The European Union upholds the principle of self-determination in the case of Ukraine, yet appears reluctant to apply the same standard to Palestinians in Gaza.”She welcomes the plan to review the EU-Israel association agreement as a first big step in the right direction but underlines that Europe now needs a clear road map towards a two-statesolution.Both researchers agree that the next weeks will be decisive. Netanyahu seems defiant, even as his allies waver.But the critics are far from united. While symbolic gestures multiply, the question remains whether they will be followed by the kind of international pressure that might compel real policy change on the ground.
