Israeli opposition leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid have joined forces to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming elections. They've been critical of Netanyahu's leadership, but they haven't expressed many qualms about his wars in Gaza and the rest of the region. They don't seem to have a problem with his military actions, and that's a key point to consider.

These wars, particularly the genocide in Gaza, have made Israel more unpopular than ever internationally. Israel's actions have resulted in over 72,000 Palestinian deaths, and a United Nations commission has determined that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza. European countries like Spain, Norway, and the Republic of Ireland have been outspoken in their criticism of Israel. Pressure is growing from within the European Union to suspend the bloc's trade pact with Israel.

"Israel is becoming more isolated," Beth Oppenheim, a policy fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told Al Jazeera, pointing to polling in both the US and Europe.

Beth Oppenheim's statement highlights the growing international discontent with Israel's actions. It's clear that Israel's reputation is suffering. Yet, Bennett and Lapid, both former prime ministers, seem to be betting that they will be able to rehabilitate Israel's global reputation if they get into power. They've promised voters "an era of correction", one where "professionals" who "think only of the good of Israel" would lead the country. This new leadership would replace the division and isolation brought in by Netanyahu.

But it's unclear if this change in leadership will be enough to reverse Israel's international isolation. Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. Bennett and Lapid haven't been critical of his handling of the wars in Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran, or the occupation of the Palestinians. They don't seem to have a problem with his military actions, and that's a concern.

In fact, Bennett has framed the Palestinian group Hamas as being inherently embedded in Gaza's remaining civilian infrastructure. He's used this to justify Israel's continued attacks. This stance may not sit well with international leaders, who are increasingly critical of Israel's actions. They're likely to view Bennett's stance as a justification for violence.

The European Union's relationship with Israel is particularly significant, as it is Israel's largest trading partner. The EU provides Israel with a significant amount of economic support. But with growing pressure from within the EU to suspend the trade pact, Israel's new leadership will have to navigate this complex web of international relations. They'll have to find a way to balance their relationships with the EU and other nations.

The relationship with the US is also crucial for Israel's security and diplomatic standing. Bennett and Lapid will prioritize maintaining this relationship. However, it's uncertain how they will fare, especially given the unpredictability of US President Trump. They can't predict how Trump will react to their leadership.

  • Over 72,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 2023
  • A United Nations commission has determined that Israel has committed genocide in Gaza
  • European countries like Spain, Norway, and the Republic of Ireland have been critical of Israel
  • The European Union is considering suspending its trade pact with Israel
  • Netanyahu is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes

The outcome of Israel's upcoming elections will be closely watched by the international community. It may have significant implications for the country's relationships with other nations. Israel's new leadership will face significant challenges in rebuilding its international reputation. It's uncertain if they will be successful in doing so. They won't have an easy task ahead of them.

The international community won't easily forgive Israel's past actions, and it's unlikely that they'll forget them anytime soon.