Over the past decades, Israel's image has undergone fundamental shifts in the international community's perception of it. However, recent years, particularly since the outbreak of the war on Gaza, have marked an unprecedented turning point in Israel's international standing and its image in the eyes of global public opinion. After successfully presenting itself for decades as a state facing security threats and striving to protect its existence, it now faces increasing accusations of practicing policies of occupation, settlement expansion and collective punishment, as well as committing grave violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity. This has led to a clear decline in the popular and political support it once enjoyed in many Western countries.

 

The scenes of widespread destruction and heavy human losses in the Gaza Strip have contributed to a profound shift in global public opinion. Traditional media and social media platforms have broadcast daily images of human suffering, making the Palestinian cause more prominent in the global consciousness than ever before. The Israeli narrative is no longer the sole dominant narrative in the international media landscape. Alternative narratives have emerged, based on eyewitness accounts, human rights reports, and legal documents, prompting broad segments of public opinion to reconsider the nature of the conflict and its true causes.

 

In this context, an unprecedented wave of protests has swept through American and European universities, with dozens of campuses witnessing sit-ins and demonstrations demanding an end to the war on Gaza and a halt to military support for Israel. These protests carried significant political weight, as they originated from young people and students who represent the future political and intellectual elites of Western societies. These movements also reflected the widening gap between the official policies of some Western governments and the positions of large segments of their populations regarding the events in the Palestinian territories.

 

Among the factors contributing to the erosion of international support for Israel is the continued settlement expansion policy in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Syria and Lebanon, which is considered illegal under international law. Instead of moving towards a political settlement based on a two-state solution, successive Israeli governments have continued to impose new realities on the ground, undermining the prospects for peace and weakening international confidence in the possibility of reaching a just and lasting solution to the conflict.

 

The continuation of military operations on multiple regional fronts has also drawn increasing criticism of the current Israeli government's policies. Many observers have accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of using the ongoing military escalation as a means to maintain the cohesion of his governing coalition and remain in power amidst successive domestic political crises and previous corruption charges. This perception has reinforced the belief in some international circles that the continuation of wars is no longer solely driven by security considerations, but also by domestic political calculations.

 

Conversely, Israel now faces increasing legal and diplomatic challenges on the international stage. It has become the subject of investigations and legal reviews before international institutions, and calls for accountability for those responsible for violations committed during the war have grown louder. Furthermore, some countries and human rights organizations have begun to reassess their relations and positions regarding Israeli policies, given the growing concern about the repercussions of the ongoing conflict on regional security and stability. The most serious challenge facing Israel today is not merely political criticism or diplomatic pressure, but rather the gradual and profound shift in global public opinion. History demonstrates that international legitimacy is not measured solely by military power or political alliances, but also by a state's ability to maintain its moral standing and respect international law. When populations, particularly in allied nations, begin to question a state's policies, this gradually influences the positions of political parties, legislative bodies, and decision-makers.

 

Despite the continued official support Israel receives from some major international powers, current indicators suggest that this support no longer enjoys the popular consensus it did in previous decades. A new generation in the West views the Palestinian issue primarily through the lens of human rights and international law, rather than through the lens of traditional conflicts or geopolitical alliances. Digital media and social media platforms have played a crucial role in directly conveying images of events and human suffering to global public opinion. This has bolstered sympathy for the Palestinians and sparked broader discussions within universities, research centers, and political institutions regarding the future of the conflict, the limits of the use of force, and the necessity of finding a just and sustainable settlement based on international law and the right of peoples to self-determination.

 

Ultimately, Israel today faces an unprecedented strategic challenge: the decline of its moral and political standing on the international stage. Military force can achieve temporary gains on the ground, but it cannot, on its own, guarantee legitimacy or win the support of global public opinion. Therefore, the continuation of the occupation, the expansion of settlements, the escalation of regional wars, and the disregard for international demands to end the violence are all factors that contribute to accelerating Israel's loss of an increasing number of its supporters worldwide. Without addressing the root causes of the conflict and adhering to the principles of international law and justice, the crisis of legitimacy facing Israel is likely to worsen in the coming years, potentially becoming more impactful than any other military or security challenge.

 

 

Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University