• Commentators say wave of recognition for Palestinian statehood exposes crumbling ties with Western allies

JERUSALEM/ISTANBUL

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing an unprecedented barrage of criticism from analysts and former officials who accuse him of isolating the country internationally and paving the way for global recognition of Palestinian statehood. Some argue his refusal to end the Gaza war has effectively “created a Palestinian state through mistakes.”

The backlash intensified after Britain, Canada, Australia and Portugal formally recognized Palestine, bringing the tally of UN member states taking that step to 153.

More European governments, including France, Luxembourg, Malta and Belgium, are expected to follow the trend widely described in Israel as a “political tsunami.”

Netanyahu has dismissed the recognition, insisting “a Palestinian state will never be established,” while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich urged the immediate annexation of the occupied West Bank. But many Israelis now say such rhetoric has left the country dangerously isolated.

Nir Kivens, a commentator for the Hebrew outlet Walla, argued that Netanyahu’s government squandered Israel’s standing since October 2023.

“Recognition is a prize for Hamas, but it was Netanyahu’s government that created the prize committee,” he wrote, adding that Israel’s position is now “worse than that of Hamas itself.”

He warned that annexing the West Bank would mark “the end of Israel as a Jewish democratic state and the start of an apartheid state,” predicting that eventually even Washington could align with European leaders now backing Palestinian statehood.

Israel shunned

Limor Livnat, a former communications minister from Netanyahu’s own Likud Party, wrote in Yedioth Ahronoth that the prime minister “made every mistake possible,” above all rejecting calls to end the war and secure the release of Israeli captives.

“On Oct. 7 the world was with us,” she said. “But the longer the war dragged on, Hamas rose from the rubble and ran a successful propaganda campaign against us.” She accused Netanyahu of prolonging the conflict “to preserve his rule,” leaving Israel shunned “in politics, culture and sport.”

Livnat added that images of devastation in Gaza had reshaped global perception.

“No one asks who started it anymore. We are seen as tormenting hungry women and children.”

Growing rift

Political analyst Moria Asraf of Israel’s Channel 13 said the latest recognitions underscored “a weakening of Israel’s ties with Western allies and a deepening isolation.”

She noted Netanyahu will address the UN General Assembly this week and then meet US President Donald Trump, where possible responses, including annexation or closing foreign consulates, are expected to be discussed.

“Instead of long-term strategy, the government falls back on talk of annexation, pouring fuel on the fire,” she said.

Even Netanyahu conceded this month that Israel is sliding into “a kind of isolation,” telling Army Radio the country must prepare for “an economy that is self-sufficient.”

Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has been carrying out a genocide in Gaza, killing more than 65,300 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

The onslaught has displaced hundreds of thousands alongside a blockade on humanitarian aid that has led to famine and claimed the lives of at least 442 Palestinians, including 147 children.