Something is changing in the attitude of foreign governments toward Israel. It is understood, in public at least, the governments of Muslim countries have always decried Israel. Some, like Egypt or Jordan, ended up establishing relations with Israel, less out of conviction than out of practical necessity. But, generally speaking, the United States and its allies have maintained very cordial relations with Israel for decades. However, the Gaza war is changing this very convenient diplomatic order for Israel. Increasingly, Israel finds itself alone against the rest of the world, with only the United States for support. A support which itself becomes more and more shaky.
1) Is the Gaza War the cause of current problems?
We might be tempted to see the origin of this shift in support towards Israel in the Gaza war. It is not so. Certainly this war has put the Israeli-Palestinian problem back on the agenda. Certainly also, social media have made it possible to expose the abuses of both Hamas and the Israeli army to the world. The images are intolerable.
But in reality, it is Israel’s increasingly questionable behavior that is fueling the country’s isolation. Yesterday, a food distribution operation turned into a deadly stampede after frightened Israeli soldiers fired into the crowd. In total, more than 115 people died and more than 700 were injured. The French and German governments have called for an international investigation. The Chinese government strongly condemned the events. Once again the UN Secretary has called on the United States to stop vetoing Security Council decisions.
2) How is Israel increasingly isolated?
The whole world, including the United States, is telling Israel to accept the formation of a Palestinian state. But the Israeli government refuses. In addition, he pursues a policy of illegal colonization in the West Bank, he maintains apartheid against the Palestinians and he could be convicted of genocide.
- Listen to international politics expert Loïc Tassé on Benoit Dutrizac’s show via QUB :
3) How dangerous is the situation for Israel?
The relative power of the United States declines a little more each year. The time when the United States can no longer support Israel is coming. Which country could replace the United States as protector of Israel? None.
4) What is making the situation worse?
Rational and practical solutions exist to enable happy coexistence between Palestinians and Israelis. Unfortunately, on both sides, religious fundamentalists, in their devout madness, accentuate the divisions between the two peoples. When we consider that both worship the same god, we can only conclude that this god is profoundly schizophrenic. Religion has long been one of the major obstacles to reconciliation between the two peoples. More than that, religion is a factor in war. Over time, religion became the main factor of political identification for each of the two peoples.
5) What can the United States do?
The United States could finally lift its veto in the Security Council and accept that Israel be sanctioned if it refuses the creation of a Palestinian state. However, this solution involves a fight against religious extremism and even a fight against religions altogether. Almost no state is ready to do this and certainly not the Americans, the Israelis or the Palestinians.