A coalition of 12 countries has taken strong diplomatic steps to pressure Israel into halting its military operations in Gaza and lifting the ongoing blockade that has led to severe humanitarian consequences.
Seven European countries—Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovenia, Spain, and Norway—issued a joint declaration urging Israel to “immediately reverse its current policy,” end military offensives, and lift restrictions preventing humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza’s civilians.
In a parallel move on 19 May, the UK, France, and Canada condemned Israel’s renewed military campaign. The UK’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the offensive “morally unjustifiable.” These countries responded by suspending trade talks with Israel and imposing sanctions on certain Israeli settlers in the West Bank.
Jordan, represented at the UN Security Council by Mahmoud Daifallah Hmoud, demanded that aid crossings be opened immediately and called for Israel to stop mass displacements and comply with international humanitarian law.
On 13 June, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution with a vote of 149–12, demanding an “immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in Gaza. Although earlier efforts were blocked by a U.S. veto in the Security Council, this General Assembly vote carried strong symbolic weight and urged all member states to use lawful means to pressure Israel into compliance.
Meanwhile, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese urged countries to sever diplomatic and economic ties with Israel and to support the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing possible violations of international law.
Palestinian voices and global advocates echoed these demands at international forums—including one held in Bogotá—pushing for further accountability and an end to the Gaza blockade.
Credit: Africanews
