Watan-The Western conscience—especially in Europe—has begun to stir in response to Israel’s brutal campaign of killing Palestinians. Although still modest, international reactions have shown symbolic significance, from U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to sideline Israel during his Middle East visit to the European Commission’s move to review its relations with Tel Aviv.
Amid the Netanyahu government’s insistence on continuing the displacement of Palestinians and conducting daily attacks that result in no fewer than 60 deaths a day, the White House did not include Israel as a stop on Trump’s Middle East tour. Instead, Trump sought an agreement with the Houthis in Yemen to secure U.S. military and commercial vessels—without offering the same protection to Israeli ships. This decision surprised many observers.
In Europe, Spain has led the continent’s stance from the outset of the war on Palestinians. In recent days, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for sanctions on Israel, labeled it a “genocidal state,” and demanded it be banned from international events, just as Russia was excluded over its invasion of Ukraine. On Tuesday, he successfully passed a parliamentary resolution suspending military cooperation and arms deals with the Israeli army.
EU to Review Israel Ties Amid Mounting Gaza War Pressure
After more than two years of silence, the European Union’s conscience finally reawakened. Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell had long stressed that what’s happening in Gaza constitutes crimes against humanity, yet no action had been taken until now.
Responding to demands from 17 of the 27 EU member states, current EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Tuesday that the EU will review its Association Agreement with Israel—the primary framework for bilateral trade and political relations since its enforcement in 2000.
“It is essential to apply pressure to change the situation,” Kallas said after a foreign ministers’ meeting that addressed both the Ukrainian and Palestinian crises. The EU noted the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza, where Israel has blocked humanitarian aid for over two months.
UK Freezes Trade Talks with Israel in Major Policy Shift Over Gaza War
Perhaps the most symbolic and practical shift came from the United Kingdom. Historically, Britain played a foundational role in the creation of Israel and has long supported it diplomatically. But this week, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in strongly condemning Israel’s expansion of the Gaza war and what they described as “unbearable” humanitarian suffering inflicted on Palestinians. They warned of “concrete actions” if Israel does not lift its restrictions.
Turning words into action, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced in the House of Commons the suspension of free trade negotiations with Israel. This marked a dramatic shift in Britain’s stance on the Palestinian file—unexpected just days earlier.
It appears that Western conscience, especially in Europe, is now leaning toward the kind of policy it applies to Russia over Ukraine: sanctions. Some voices in the West, including former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, have long warned that Europe’s silence on the Israeli war against Palestinians—especially given its geographical proximity to the Muslim and Arab world—would lead to decades of mistrust. In a changing global order increasingly dominated by China and the Global South, Europe could become the biggest loser as it risks forfeiting its moral and geopolitical credibility.
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