Israel Qatar Isolation: Will Attack Lead to International Condemnation?
- Public opinion towards Israel is undergoing a notable shift, fueled by the ongoing crisis in Gaza, reports of famine, and accusations of genocide leveled by prominent Israeli intellectuals...
- Bitar believes the attack on qatar will likely harden attitudes towards Israel specifically in the Gulf region, rather than globally.
- Gulf leaders have already demonstrated solidarity with Qatar through visits, with further support being discussed among Gulf states in response to Israel's actions, as stated by Qatari Prime...
Shifting Global Opinion and Israel’s Escalating Actions
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Public opinion towards Israel is undergoing a notable shift, fueled by the ongoing crisis in Gaza, reports of famine, and accusations of genocide leveled by prominent Israeli intellectuals and scholars, according to Karim Emile Bitar, a professor of international relations at the Saint Joseph University of Beirut. “However, I think that this shift in public opinion is mostly related to what’s happening in Gaza, the famine and the fact that even leading Israeli intellectuals and scholars are now calling it a genocide.”
Bitar believes the attack on qatar will likely harden attitudes towards Israel specifically in the Gulf region, rather than globally.
Gulf leaders have already demonstrated solidarity with Qatar through visits, with further support being discussed among Gulf states in response to Israel’s actions, as stated by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
For other nations, the attack on Qatar reinforces concerns about Israel’s disregard for international law and its contribution to increasing instability in the Middle East – a situation widely unpopular with their citizens.The extent of their response will depend on balancing these concerns with the potential repercussions of antagonizing Israel and its primary ally, the United states.
European Criticism and Potential Sanctions
Europe has witnessed a notable shift in sentiment, with several countries and the European Union itself becoming increasingly critical of israel and contemplating sanctions.
Spain has recently imposed a formal arms embargo on Israel and prohibited ships carrying fuel for the Israeli military from utilizing its ports. european Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also suggested potential sanctions,including the suspension of the EU-Israel free trade agreement.
double Standards and Escalating Violence
Despite the growing international criticism, Western action against Israel remains limited compared to the isolation and sanctions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
This disparity exists despite israel’s increasingly assertive and violent actions throughout the Middle East. Just one day after striking Qatar, and weeks after assassinating the prime minister of the Houthi rebel government in Yemen, Israel struck Sanaa, Yemen, including a residential area, resulting in at least 35 fatalities. furthermore, Israel has been accused of launching two drone attacks this week on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a peaceful mission attempting to break the blockade of Gaza, currently docked in Tunisia, as reported here.
These actions add to Israel’s previous attacks on Syria, Lebanon, and Iran.
Israel has shown no remorse for the attack on Qatar and has offered no assurances to other nations that their territory will be spared similar attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has openly taken responsibility for the strike, stating, “Israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.”
Prime Minister’s Office:
Today’s action against the top terrorist chieftains of hamas was a wholly independent Israeli operation.
israel initiated it, Israel conducted it, and Israel takes full responsibility.
– Benjamin Netanyahu – Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) September 9, 2025
Other Israeli officials have taken an even more aggressive stance. Minister of finance Bezalel Smotrich, currently negotiating an investment deal in India,declared that Israel’s “enemies,” whom he labeled “terrorists,” would “have no immunity from the long arm of Israel anywhere in the world.”
“israel has crossed red line after red line after red line and nothing has happened,” saeid Rob Geist Pinfold, lecturer in international security at King’s College London. “Every time it’s crossed the Rubicon, it’s gone right back and done it again.”
He added, “European states can say and do anything they like, but at the moment, there just isn’t a sufficient deterrent to stop them striking anywhere they like.”
Trump is Key
Geist Pinfold identified Donald Trump as the one individual capable of altering Israel’s behavior.
“The only figure that can stop them is Donald Trump,” the academic stated.
The United States provides Israel with billions of dollars in aid, arms, and diplomatic support, shielding it from significant international repercussions, such as security Council resolutions and even sanctions against officials from the International Criminal Court for investigating Netanyahu for war crimes.
Trump is highly regarded in Israel for his pro-Israel policies, particularly his recognition of Jerusalem – including occupied east Jerusalem – as Israel’s capital during his first term.
Manny Israeli right-wingers see a second Trump presidency as an chance to pursue their goals, including the annexation of the occupied West Bank, believing the US would offer minimal resistance.
While Trump has called for a ceasefire in Gaza,he has largely supported Israel’s position and even suggested transforming Gaza into a “Gaza Riviera,” a proposal critics denounce as ethnic cleansing.
The bombing of Qatar,a country Trump visited shortly after taking office for his second term this year,is viewed differently by the president than Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Though, the White house has offered a narrative that affords Washington plausible deniability, claiming the US government only learned of the attack at the last minute and attempted to warn Qatar.
A genuine indication of US frustration with Israel would be Trump pushing his ally to agree to a ceasefire in Gaza and end its foreign adventurism.
Based on past actions,this outcome remains uncertain. However, if the US were to take such a step, it could potentially isolate Israel internationally.
“When it comes to the global picture, the only game changer is the United States,” said Bitar, “and, more specifically, Donald Trump.”