Tide turns on Israel: ‘It turns any criticism into claims of antisemitism or Hamas support’
The UK government has joined France and Canada in condemning Israel’s escalation of violence in Gaza, as the war-torn country faces starvation due to a block on aid entering.
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In brief…
- The UK has said Israel’s calls to “destroy” Gaza and force its people to leave could be in breach of international law, in an open letter which Benjamin Netenyahu has described as offering a “huge prize” to the Hamas terrorist organisation.
- Emily Maitlis says Israel, and prime minister Benjamin Netenyahu, is unable to take criticism (even from allied nations) without claiming it is due to anti-semitism or support for the terrorist activities of Hamas.
- Lewis Goodall says Israel faces being “completely alone” as things move forward, adding that losing US support would be a “seismic” loss for the nation.
What’s the story?
“The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” says the UK government.
Keir Starmer’s Labour – which continues to sell arms to Israel – joined France and Canada in condemning Benjamin Netenyahu's government over its agreement to end its blockade of aid to the people of Gaza, but only to permit a "basic quantity of food" across the border.
Five trucks entered Gaza this week, after two months of Israel preventing any food or medical supplies entering the country. Prior to the end of the ceasefire in March, 600 trucks a day were entering.
“It is pitiful. It's not even a gesture,” says Emily Maitlis.
“It's almost an insult to offer so little – even though Netanyahu said over the weekend, that Israel now recognises it cannot let two million people starve to death.”
On the same day, the UK also suspended trade talks with Israel over what it describes as its "intolerable" offensive in Gaza.
What did the letter from the UK, France and Canada say?
The open letter from the three governments has called on Israel to increase aid deliveries to levels "in line with humanitarian principles", and on Hamas to release all remaining hostages.
"The Israeli Government’s denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," the letter states.
"We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli Government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate.
"Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law."
Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich recently said that Gaza must be "entirely destroyed", and its people must "leave in great numbers" after the war.
Smotrich also stated that Israel would allow the "bare minimum" of aid to reach people in Gaza, just enough to prevent the country being accused of war crimes.
The three states add that while they support Israel's right to defend itself against terror attacks, such as the Hamas massacre on October 7 2023, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis, it describes the escalation of violence as "wholly disproportionate."
“There have been many occasions when there has been irritation from the British government with Netanyahu,” says Jon Sopel.
“It's hard to think of a time when there was such a level of sheer exasperation and fury being expressed by Western allies to a friendly nation.
“But that is where we are now.”
How has Israel responded to the letter?
Netanyahu has said the letter offers a "huge prize" to Hamas, while referring to October 7 2023 as a "genocidal attack", a term more widely used during the conflict to describe the killing of 53,000 people in Gaza by the Israeli military in the months since.
He added that "the war can end tomorrow" if Hamas releases its hostages and lays down arms - 58 hostages remain in Gaza, up to 23 are believed to be alive.
Emily says this highlights how Israel will turn any criticism into claims of anti-semitism or support for Hamas terrorism.
“The Israeli government cannot take criticism from people who should be allies – even governments who have been staunch supporters of Israel and everything it went through after October 7,” she says.
“It has to turn criticism into either being antisemitic or support of Hamas.
“There doesn't seem to be any recognition that they could be trying to help Israel by preventing the most appalling atrocity and having that kind of blood on its hands.”
How does Donald Trump play into all this?
The US was not among the countries whose governments signed the open letter condemning Israel's actions – but The News Agents believe President Trump may "quietly approve" of its sentiment.
Trump recently visited the Middle East, but not Israel. He also "blindsided" Netenyahu's government by announcing peace with Iran, and a ceasefire with Houthi Rebels. Additionally, Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, recently blamed Netanyahu directly for prolonging the war.
“Trump wanted to come in and say he’d fixed Ukraine – well, he hasn't done that. He wanted to say he’d fixed the Middle East – actually, it's got worse,” says Lewis Goodall.
“It's pretty clear from everything we could piece together, that Trump increasingly blames Netanyahu as the block to his being able to stop what's going on.”
And, as Trump has threatened with Ukraine, The News Agents believe him walking away from the Israel/Gaza situation entirely could be the worst possible outcome for Israel.
“If Trump just walks away, Israel is completely alone,” Lewis adds.
“It's used to being alone in its region, but to be alone internationally, that does change the dynamics for Netanyahu.
“It would be seismic If Trump were to make clear in some way explicitly that he blames Netanyahu.”
What’s The News Agents’ take?
Lewis Goodall says that Keir Starmer, who spoke about the open letter today in the House of Commons, showed a PM of "exasperation, and complete exhaustion" with the situation – suggesting this could be a turning point for global leaders.
“This is a conflict with a very long pedigree, and where horrors have been committed over the decades by both sides,” Lewis adds.
“It does feel as if a different level of horror is taking place now because it feels as if Israel is destroying Gaza rather than Hamas.
“Figures like Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister, have basically talked about wanting to remove all of the native population.
“And so you start to think this is what this entire thing must be about – it is a form of ethnic cleansing.”