While international official responses to the Israeli conflict in Gaza tend to be diplomatic and calculated in their dealings with Israel, another realm is emerging where reactions are more candid and devoid of diplomatic sensitivity.
In the past 24 hours, various media outlets have reported on protests against the Israeli actions in Gaza and the resulting humanitarian crises and deaths due to starvation. These protests represent a continuation of demonstrations that erupted especially after October 7.
French authorities announced yesterday that air traffic control operations at Paris airports had been suspended after an employee expressed solidarity with Palestinians via radio communication with the crew of an Israeli airline.
The French Ministry of Transport reported that the employee stated “Free Palestine” over the radio to the Israeli aircraft crew. Last week, pro-Palestinian supporters sprayed red paint on the facade of the building housing Israel’s El Al airline office in Paris.
Two days ago, Chloe Swarbrick, a member of the New Zealand parliament, was asked to leave the chamber during a heated discussion on the recognition of a Palestinian state. Swarbrick, co-leader of the Green Party, urged government members to support a bill aimed at holding Israel accountable for war crimes.
She remarked, “If we can find six out of the 68 government representatives with the courage, we can stand on the right side of history.” When Swarbrick refused to retract her statement, she was asked to exit the parliament.
Since October 7, 2023, as the humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened, grassroots and cultural initiatives across continents have emerged, ranging from mass protests to actions in transportation, arts, and academia. This indicates a growing reputational crisis for Israel in global public opinion, even in countries traditionally seen as its closest allies. Israeli media has frequently described this phenomenon as a global “tsunami” against Israel.
France is one of the countries witnessing such initiatives, having hosted large demonstrations in Paris in November 2023 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, as part of a simultaneous wave of protests across Europe.
In Belgium, transport unions have called on members to refuse handling shipments of weapons destined for Israel via Belgian airports. Thousands gathered in Brussels to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.
In November 2023, the Barcelona Port Workers Union announced it would not load or unload military materials amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza and encouraged other ports to take similar actions. Sweden also saw massive protests in Malmö in May 2024 against Israel’s participation in the “Eurovision 2024” competition, with contributions from global activists.
Traditional Ally
Even the United States, a longstanding ally of Israel, experienced protests in the ports of Tacoma and Oakland aimed at blocking ships suspected of carrying military supplies to Israel. Numerous universities in the U.S. have also seen demonstrations against the war in Gaza.
Larger demonstrations in support of Palestinians have taken place in London and several British cities, with calls to cancel the participation of Israelis in artistic or cultural events in the UK.
This wave of protests reveals a growing grassroots challenge to Israeli policies, penetrating significant sectors such as airports, ports, the arts, academia, and even large corporations.
It is noteworthy that such sentiments have emerged in Western nations like France, Britain, and the United States—countries that have long provided diplomatic and military support to Israel.
Overall, this observation reflects an expanding gap between official pro-Israel rhetoric in certain capitals and a public and institutional mood that is increasingly willing to express its opposition, even in symbolic ways, to Israel’s policies in the Palestinian territories.