Israel's Diplomatic Isolation: A Precursor to a 'South Africa Moment' Over Gaza?

Tue Oct 21 2025 04:05:25 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The ongoing conflict in Gaza is pushing Israel towards increasing international isolation, echoing the experiences of apartheid-era South Africa. As countries implement sanctions and express their discontent, the future of Israel's foreign relations hangs in the balance.

As tensions escalate in Gaza, Israel's international standing is increasingly at risk. Experts draw parallels to South Africa's past, suggesting that growing political and economic pressure could lead to a moment of reckoning for Israel. With numerous countries reconsidering their diplomatic relations and imposing sanctions, Israeli leaders face a pivotal challenge. Former officials stress that while Israel's position is fragile, it is not yet irreversible, and the road ahead remains uncertain amidst calls for change.

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 recognise Palestine as a state next week. And Gulf countries, reacting with fury to the recent Israeli attacks, have been meeting to unify their response against Israel.

Desperate humanitarian conditions in Gaza, alongside military actions poised to escalate, contribute to a climate of growing international displeasure, emphasizing the urgency for changed approaches.

Countries like Belgium have already taken significant steps, introducing sanctions and restrictions against Israel, while others like Spain have moved to legally enforce arms embargoes. The EU too is onboard, planning sanctions against far-right Israeli ministers.

These actions mirror the history of sanctions against South Africa, a country that faced cultural and economic isolation until apartheid was dismantled. There are early signs of a similar strategy gearing up against Israel.

Even in the cultural realm, fears of a boycott of events like the Eurovision Song Contest loom as several nations hint at withdrawing their participation should Israel be involved.

In Hollywood, calls for a boycott have gathered momentum rapidly, with significant figures lending their support to the movement. This cultural pressure, coupled with protests disrupting high-profile sporting events, paints a challenging picture for Israel's image abroad.

While some argue that Israel is nearing a diplomatic crisis, others highlight that the U.S. continues to be a strong ally, suggesting that Israel's standing is not quite at a breaking point yet. However, observers remain divided on whether Israel can navigate this complex crisis unscathed.

Baruch, a former ambassador, expressed hope that the international community could make decisive moves to change Israel's trajectory for the better, but stressed that current trends are deeply concerning, echoing the sentiments of many former diplomats who call for urgent introspection and reform within Israel itself.