European countries navigating relations with Israel

European attitudes toward Israel are increasingly divided, reflecting a complex landscape influenced by historical grievances, current political shifts, and growing populist movements. 

Pride Parades in Amsterdam have long been celebrated as vibrant displays of European tolerance, with streets and canals alive with diverse expressions of identity and colour. However, this summer, the parades faced controversy over the inclusion of the Israeli flag. An organising committee initially sought to ban it, but the decision was reversed after the mayor's intervention. Despite this, a Jewish LGBTQ+ group carrying the flag at a July 20th march faced criticism from pro-Palestinian protesters, leading them to withdraw, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The Israel-Palestine conflict has intensified condemnation of Israel across Europe. The UN General Assembly is set to vote on September 18th on a resolution demanding Israel's withdrawal from Palestinian territories. With pro-Palestinian sentiment rising in European protests and academia, one might expect European governments to respond favorably. This year, pro-Palestinian activists have occupied universities in cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, and Paris, reflecting a growing focus on the Palestinian cause alongside other major issues like income inequality and climate change. Polls indicate a significant decline in support for Israel. However, the situation is more nuanced.

Despite its dwindling popularity, Israel has faced minimal repercussions. European governments are cautious about taking actions that may prove ineffective. Additionally, anti-Zionist sentiment on the left is counterbalanced by the growing influence of Europe's far right, which is both anti-Muslim and generally pro-Israel. According to Dominique Moïsi of the Institut Montaigne, "Anti-Muslim sentiment serves as a buffer zone for Israel." European attitudes toward Israel generally fall into three main categories: Countries such as Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden have historically leaned towards the Palestinians, driven by human rights concerns or solidarity with decolonization efforts. This spring, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, and Spain officially recognized Palestine as a state, following Sweden's earlier recognition.

These nations have consistently viewed Israel unfavorably, a sentiment that predates the current Gaza conflict. For instance, in Spain, the favorability gap towards Israel dropped from -38 in May 2023 to -53 in August, according to YouGov. Countries like Germany, which has a unique historical responsibility due to its role in the Holocaust, take a more nuanced stance. Germany feels a special obligation to protect Jewish life and considers Israeli security a state priority. Despite this, public opinion in Germany is somewhat less negative towards Israel compared to countries like Denmark or Sweden, with a current rating of -34. The German government has suppressed pro-Palestinian protests and is cautious in criticizing Israeli actions. However, Germany’s commitment to international law is challenged by a July ruling from the International Court of Justice demanding Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories. 

The potential for an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could further complicate this issue. “The war in Gaza presents a conflict between two key pillars of German identity: the commitment to ‘never again’ and the historical responsibility towards Israel, and the adherence to international law and human rights,” notes Peter Lintl from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. In countries like Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Baltic states, where right-wing populism is prominent, support for Israel tends to be stronger. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fostered close ties with Viktor Orban of Hungary and other right-wing leaders.