Israel Faces Global Isolation Amid Shifting Perceptions, Author Warns
The author, Israeli writer Liel Sicgan, writing for Maariv, argues that Israel is failing to recognize a new global strategy aimed at its isolation, spearheaded by Hamas leaders Yahya Sinwar and Ismail Haniyeh. This strategy, she contends, is gaining traction due to Israel's rigid stance against a Palestinian state and its inability to control radical elements within its own settler movement. Sicgan criticizes the current Israeli government's approach, suggesting it inadvertently fuels international support for a Palestinian state, a notion she believes is unrealistic and used for political manipulation.
She points to recent actions, such as the UK's sanctions and the closure of its consulate in East Jerusalem, as evidence of Israel's deteriorating international standing. Sicgan expresses concern over rising antisemitism globally, citing the victory of a neo-Nazi party in Germany and a significant drop in US public support for Israel, with 30% now favoring Hamas over Israel. She laments the lack of effective leadership and systemic support for individuals and groups actively combating negative narratives about Israel online and in academia.
The author criticizes the common Israeli response to global pressure, which is to invite threatened Jews to Israel, arguing this ignores the post-October 7 reality where Israel is no longer perceived as universally safe. Sicgan concludes that Israel must abandon its fixation on past failures and the debate over who was warned before October 7. Instead, she urges a focus on present challenges, particularly the need to shift global public opinion to understand that a Palestinian state is not viable and to find alternative solutions for coexistence and Israel's future security and prosperity.
