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 rethink their positions.
Images of starvation have emerged from Gaza over the summer with the Israeli army poised to invade - and possibly destroy - Gaza City, leading more and more European governments to express their displeasure in ways that go beyond mere statements.
At the start of the month, Belgium announced a series of sanctions, including a ban on imports from illegal Jewish settlements in the West Bank, a review of procurement policies with Israeli companies and restrictions on consular assistance to Belgians living in settlements.
Other countries, including Britain and France, had already taken similar steps. A week after Belgium's move, Spain announced its own measures, turning an existing de facto arms embargo into law, and imposing a partial import ban on Israeli products.
In August, Norway's sovereign wealth fund announced it would start divesting from companies listed in Israel. Meanwhile, the EU plans to sanction far-right ministers and partly suspend trade elements of its association agreement with Israel.
In a move that echoes the cultural and sporting boycotts imposed on South Africa during its apartheid regime, countries like Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands have hinted they may withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest if Israel is allowed to compete next year.
Even in Hollywood, a letter calling for a boycott of Israeli production companies has gathered momentum, with high-profile signatures from stars like Emma Stone.
As protests continue and pressure mounts, Israel’s government stands defiant, with Netanyahu accusing critics of a blatant genocidal threat against his country.
Despite these trying circumstances, some observers believe Israel has not reached an unrecoverable state. Former diplomat Ilan Baruch insists that Israel must change course to avoid becoming a diplomatic pariah. He emphasizes the importance of regaining acceptance in the international community and endorses applied pressure that mirrors the sanctions once imposed on South Africa.
Nevertheless, amid these challenges, Israel retains strong backing from the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a strong relationship with Israel during his visit.
Ultimately, while Israel's international standing appears increasingly precarious, the question remains: Can the Netanyahu government navigate the storm without enduring irrevocable damage to its diplomatic relations?
