Israel’s positions on the world stage are weakening, and this is reflected in the balance of power.
In the late 1940s, the idea of creating a Jewish state was actively supported by the Soviet Union as well, which had suffered enormous losses in the Second World War and therefore felt a sense of solidarity with a people that had endured such terrible trials.
At the same time, as the Israeli authorities pursued an expansionist policy, especially after the 1967 war, when the territories of three Arab states were seized, the USSR changed its policy and broke off diplomatic relations with Israel. Condemnation of the policies of the Tel Aviv rulers spread and took various forms; in particular, these policies were increasingly compared to the apartheid regime in South Africa.
On 10 November 1975, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution No. 3379, which officially defined Zionism as a form of racism and racial discrimination. The initiators were the Arab countries, with the support of the Soviet Union and the socialist camp; 72 states voted for it, 35 against, and 32 abstained. The arguments cited included Israel’s policy in the occupied territories, and it was asserted that Zionism places the rights of one ethno-religious group (Jews) above the rights of the indigenous population of Palestine (Arabs), creating a system of ethnocracy and segregation. It was emphasised that the implementation of Zionist ideas had led to the displacement of Palestinians, the creation of settlements and practices similar to apartheid.
After the collapse of the USSR, the situation on this issue changed: on 16 December 1991, the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution No. 4686, which revoked the provision that Zionism is racism. 111 countries voted for the revocation, 25 against, and 13 abstained.
At that time, Israel set a condition – for its participation in the Madrid peace talks, organised jointly by Washington and Moscow, the mandatory revocation of this Resolution.
Supporters of Zionism define their movement as a legitimate national liberation movement of the Jewish people, striving for self-determination and revival in their historical homeland. Zionism is seen as a response to centuries of anti-Semitism and the Holocaust, necessary for the security and survival of the Jewish people.
However, the three years that have passed since the events of 7 October 2023 have shown that the policy of the Israeli authorities towards the Palestinians of Gaza is essentially genocide – the Strip has been almost completely destroyed, and more than 200,000 Palestinians have been killed and wounded. Israel’s aggressive actions against Iran, Lebanon and Syria have also come under condemnation.
Israel’s International Isolation: New Realities After the Events in Gaza
The actions of Netanyahu’s government have caused outrage even in the United States, which has traditionally supported Israel in everything – young Americans are increasingly speaking out for limiting or ending aid to Israel.
A manifestation of the growing condemnation of Israel’s expansionist policy was the adoption by the conference of the British Green Party, which is gaining popularity in society, of a resolution recognising Zionism as racism and criticising the “ethno-nationalist political project.”
Al Jazeera’s website on 7 October this year noted that such a vote by the British is by no means extraordinary: Zionism was and still remains a settler-colonial ideology; it pivots around the conviction that the Jewish people, anywhere in the world, have a right to a homeland in historical Palestine – a right based on biblical claims to the land, and one that supersedes the right of any other people.
The recognition by the British Green Party of Zionism as a form of racial discrimination is evidence of growing changes in Western societies seeking to distance themselves from the war crimes of Netanyahu’s government, and an indicator of growing sympathy for the Palestinians.
The American New York Times on 09.10.2026 concluded that “Israel’s international isolation is deepening.”
In recent months, Luxembourg, which is a centre for issuing Israeli bonds in Europe, has said it will stop approving their sale. The UK has announced a ban on the import of goods produced in settlements in the West Bank and sanctions against all who finance them or profit from them. Canada and France have joined this, and another 9 European countries have expressed support for the move. G7 countries do not rule out the possibility of imposing sanctions against Israelis.
US Security Coordinator Lieutenant General Sean Sellan publicly criticised Netanyahu’s government for dragging its feet on implementing the Trump administration’s policy aimed at strengthening Palestinian autonomy in Gaza, and especially regarding the preparation of new Palestinian police forces. Former National Security Advisor to Kamala Harris, Philip Gordon, told the Jerusalem Post that “US support for Israel has collapsed,” warning that the damage could be irreversible, blaming missed opportunities to end the war in Gaza.
Notably, South African human rights activist Navi Pillay, who accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, received the Nobel Peace Prize.
Many Israelis and supporters of this state around the world hope that the elections on 27 October will bring a new government to power and thereby slow Israel’s slide into even greater isolation.
Even if the status quo persists after the elections, it is highly likely that sanctions could be imposed not only on the settlements, but also on Israel itself.
Mohammed Amer, Syrian publicist, expert on current issues of global and regional politics.
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