Is Gaza turning out to be a major breaking point for Israel's image?

Despite its military superiority, Israel found itself in a different kind of confrontation during the recent Gaza war: the battle of global public opinion. The unprecedented massacres that left thousands of martyrs, including huge numbers of children, profoundly reshaped the popular and international mood.

Shift in Europe
Polls show that Israel's image in Western Europe is at its lowest point since tracking began in 2016. In a survey of six major countries, only 21% viewed it favorably, while nearly 70% expressed a negative attitude.Massive demonstrations in London, Paris, and Berlin reinforced this trend, giving a popular dimension to the shifts in official and academic attitudes.

Decline in the US
Even in the United States, a close ally, indicators have declined. A Gallup poll (July 2025) revealed that US support for military action in Gaza dropped to just 32%, a historic low. Younger generations in particular have become more critical, portending a long-term shift in the American political mood.

Global South and Africa
In Latin America and Africa, the shift has been even more pronouncedBolivia severed diplomatic relations with Israel, while South Africa led a campaign at the International Court of Justice accusing it of genocide. Other countries such as Chile and Colombia recalled their ambassadors, signaling growing isolation.

Media and Diplomacy
Western media has softened its traditional bias, using terms like "genocide" and "second Nakba." Even the United Nations has warned of forced displacement that could amount to a war crime.This previously taboo language reflects an unprecedented erosion of the "moral high ground" that Israel has long claimed.

Future Implications
These shifts are not temporary. In the short term, Israel will have difficulty mobilizing unqualified international support for its military operations.In the long term, the erosion of its moral image threatens to turn it into a pariah state akin to apartheid-era South Africa, with calls for economic and political boycotts growing.

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