REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ROME \u2013 Italy\u2019s decision to stop all arms sales to\nIsrael represents the latest indication of the increasingly evident rift\nbetween Israel and Europe, which was once its main ally. If this\ncontinues, the fracture could become a diplomatic shock.<\/p>\n
Israel is currently facing unprecedented diplomatic isolation across\nEurope, a region that has long been its largest trading partner and\nprimary source of political and ideological support. That relationship\nhas begun to fray, particularly since Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\ntook power in his latest term with Israel\u2019s most right-wing coalition to\ndate.<\/p>\n
The initial tensions were related to the Netanyahu government\u2019s\njudicial overhaul and West Bank annexation. Those disputes evolved into\na major crisis after the genocide in Gaza began in October 2023.\nSubsequent differences arose over attacks on Lebanon and Europe\u2019s\nreluctance to join the US-Israel assault on Iran.<\/p>\n
At present, several European allies have suspended defence relations,\nimposed embargoes, frozen programmes such as Horizon Europe, and engaged\nin highly sharp public disputes.<\/p>\n
Spain has emerged at the forefront of European opposition. Under the\nleadership of Prime Minister Pedro S\u00e1nchez, Madrid has recognised the\nPalestinian state and consistently criticised Israel\u2019s military\noperations.<\/p>\n
S\u00e1nchez has accused Israel of violating international law and urged\nthe European Union to suspend the Association Agreement with Israel,\narguing that this would end what he calls its \u201cimpunity for criminal\nactions\u201d.<\/p>\n
Spain has also imposed an arms embargo and taken firm steps by\nclosing its airspace to US fighter jets linked to the Iran conflict.<\/p>\n
In retaliation, Netanyahu dismissed Spain\u2019s representative from the\nCivil-Military Coordination Centre in Kiryat Gat, a US-established\nfacility overseeing humanitarian aid and ceasefire coordination in Gaza.\nIsrael\u2019s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Spain of promoting\n\u201cdefamation\u201d and showing \u201cobsessive anti-Israel bias\u201d.<\/p>\n
France has taken a similarly hard stance. Like Spain, the country has\nrecognised Palestinian statehood, banned Israeli companies from\nattending major defence exhibitions, and refused overflight rights to US\nplanes carrying ammunition for Israel.<\/p>\n
Israel responded by completely halting all defence procurements from\nFrance. The Israeli military has also severed professional ties with the\nFrench military and is now seeking partners more willing to accept such\nagreements.<\/p>\n
Tensions have also extended to the diplomatic sphere, with Israel\nblocking France\u2019s participation in mediation efforts with Lebanon and\nlabelling Paris an \u201cunfair mediator\u201d. Although defence trade between the\ntwo countries has declined, the growing divide in society underscores\nthe depth of this fracture.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/israels-fortress-in-europe-crumbles-1776253853", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }