'Diplomatic tsunami': Israel grapples with isolation from Europe, Palestine's recognition
Israel is being ostracized not only by European states that have long criticized its policies but also by some of its traditional allies such as Germany and Italy as the hunger crisis in Gaza deepens.
PARIS — As French President Emmanuel Macron pushes for European countries to follow his lead in recognizing an independent Palestinian state this fall — and as the European Union considers suspending Israel from a key research funding program over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza — the Jewish state is facing a worsening "diplomatic tsunami,” one diplomatic source warns.
Israel is not only being ostracized by European states that have long criticized its policies but also by some of its traditional allies such as Germany and Italy as the hunger crisis in Gaza has deepened.
Canada, also considered a backer of Israel, announced Wednesday that it will move to recognize a Palestinian state in September, but it said the move would be predicated on the Palestinian Authority holding elections in 2026 and committing to reforms.
Macron announced last week that France would recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly summit this coming September, drawing the ire of the Israeli government, which said such a move would benefit Hamas. On Tuesday, British Prime Minister Keir Stermer announced that London will also recognize Palestine in September if Israel does not accept a ceasefire in Gaza and advance steps toward a two-state solution. Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela also said his country will recognize Palestine at the September gathering.
