As Israeli bombardment relentlessly devastates Gaza, killing thousands of civilians, Israel is increasingly shunned on the world stage. Once welcomed in cities like Paris, Antalya, and the Greek islands, Israeli tourists now encounter hostility reflecting a profound shift in international opinion.

For decades, Israel portrayed itself as a besieged democracy, leveraging historical sympathy from the Holocaust to secure Western support. But since the war began on 7 October 2023, that narrative has collapsed under mounting evidence of war crimes and genocide perpetrated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right government. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and the International Criminal Court have condemned Israel’s actions, with arrest warrants issued against Netanyahu and top officials.

Mainstream media outlets now cover Palestinian suffering extensively, featuring headlines such as “Gaza Under Siege and Starvation” and “The Greatest Humanitarian Catastrophe of the Modern Era.” Even French President Emmanuel Macron called Israeli actions “unacceptable,” sparking mass protests demanding an end to military aid and calls to expel the Israeli ambassador. Israeli tourists in Paris have faced verbal abuse, while institutions openly denounce Zionism.

Israeli airlines have not been spared: El Al’s Paris offices were vandalised with graffiti branding it a “Genocide Company,” prompting evacuation. Turkey suspended ties with Israel, halted all flights, and declared itself a “Zionist-Free Zone,” expelling Israeli tourists from hotels and restaurants. Greece has seen growing protests and calls for academic and commercial boycotts, with Israeli visitors advised to avoid certain sites due to safety concerns.

International travel for Israelis has plummeted, forcing the government to issue travel warnings for 32 countries amid growing hostility. Israeli officials warn of threats to citizens abroad, while tourism executives speak of clients fearful of harassment.

Israel’s decades-long grip on Western media narratives is breaking down, especially on social media where millions rally behind hashtags like #SaveGaza. Influential global voices and major publications now openly criticise Israel’s role in the humanitarian crisis.

The backlash also reverberates within Israel. Over 800 academics condemned the war as a “moral stain,” demanding investigations into violations. Human rights groups warn of ethical collapse amid crimes against humanity. Yet dissenters face smear campaigns and institutional pressure.

The war has laid bare a deep domestic divide and shattered the myth of a united Israel. No longer seen as a victim, Israel is now viewed as a brutal oppressor, a transformation driven by Netanyahu’s policies and sustained violence in Gaza. As bloodshed continues, Israel risks losing the global legitimacy and sympathy painstakingly built over decades, becoming instead a pariah defined by oppression and destruction.