Israel's Diplomatic Isolation: Is a 'South Africa Moment' on the Horizon?

Mon Sep 15 2025 23:51:37 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Israel intensifies its military campaign in Gaza, discussions surrounding its international standing grow louder, with some drawing parallels to the South African apartheid era. Former leaders and analysts weigh in on what this could mean for Israel's future.

With the ongoing conflict in Gaza deepening Israel's diplomatic isolation, questions arise about whether the country is facing a 'South Africa moment.' Former Israeli leaders express concern over Netanyahu's international standing, as boycotts and sanctions multiply from various nations. The discourse recalls the pressure that led to the end of apartheid, raising fears for Israel's trajectory under its current government.

As the war in Gaza grinds on, Israel's international isolation appears to be deepening.

Is it approaching a South Africa moment, when a combination of political pressure, economic, sporting, and cultural boycotts helped to force Pretoria to abandon apartheid?

Or can the right-wing government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weather the diplomatic storm, leaving Israel free to pursue its goals in Gaza and the occupied West Bank without causing permanent damage to its international standing?

Two former prime ministers, Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, have already accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into an international pariah.

Thanks to a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, the number of countries Netanyahu can travel to without the risk of being arrested has shrunk dramatically.

At the UN, several countries, including Britain, France, Australia, Belgium, and Canada, have said they are planning to recognize Palestine as a state next week.

And Gulf countries, reacting with fury to last Tuesday's Israeli attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar, have been meeting in Doha to discuss a unified response, with some calling on countries which enjoy relations with Israel to think again.

As images of starvation emerge from Gaza over the summer and the Israeli army poised to invade Gaza City, increasing numbers of European governments are expressing their displeasure in ways that extend beyond mere statements.

In August, Norway's large sovereign wealth fund announced divestments from companies linked to Israel, and the EU is considering sanctions against far-right ministers in the Israeli government.

Calls for cultural and sporting boycotts have also been amplified, with countries threatening to withdraw from competitions if Israel is permitted to participate, showcasing a potential shift in international relations reminiscent of the anti-apartheid movement.

While the Israeli government remains defiant in the face of criticism, former diplomats acknowledge a growing anxiety regarding the country's international reputation and future.