Europe’s Changing Stance on Israel and Palestine

Jakarta – Major countries in Europe,such as Britain and France,have historically been key players in shaping the Middle East after World War I. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire marked a crucial step towards the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Since then, European nations have consistently prioritized Israeli security as a central policy in the Middle East.

Throughout this period, Europe has been a primary supporter of Israel, providing assistance in areas ranging from politics and diplomacy to economics and military affairs. Despite ongoing Israeli violations of international law, Europe has maintained its pro-Israeli policies. While sometimes differing from the United States in their approach to the israeli-palestinian conflict, European countries have rarely taken notable action against Israel.

Recently, Europe remained largely indifferent to the ongoing violence and alleged genocide occurring in the Gaza Strip, even providing Israel with ammunition and weapons used against Palestinians.

However, in the second half of 2025, these prominent European forces have begun to shift their position, criticizing Israel’s actions and increasingly recognizing the Palestinian state.

Domestic Political Struggle

This change appears to be driven by a number of factors…