That’s because, in the last year, Israel’s government has shifted further right than many thought possible. This new direction led to troubling ideological changes to its foreign and domestic policy. This strategic transition has resulted in highly controversial actions, which have been decried by the international community. It has further sparked worry about what this means for the region and global human rights standards.
As Israel seeks to strengthen ties with far-right movements around the world, its leaders have taken controversial stances that echo extreme nationalist sentiments. One notable incident involved Israel’s Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism, who invited British far-right activist Tommy Robinson for an official visit. This unsolicited endorsement points to a deeply alarming dog-whistle alignment with ideologues well-known for their efforts to sow fear, hatred, and division.
Until now, Israel’s government has only been criticized heavily in the court of public opinion for her acts. Many have called these actions systematic violations of human rights. According to media reports, Israeli officials have bragged about how Israel’s military operations—which included live-streaming attacks on Gaza—are being weaponized to boost Israel’s PR. Many historians, activists, and journalists have described these actions as “a laboratory for genocidal violence.” They further argue that Gaza serves as a guinea pig for new weapons and security technologies.
Israel’s continued military operations, including bombardments, raids and assassinations have brought catastrophic effects to civilians in Gaza. In the months since May, over 2,600 Palestinians have allegedly been shot while trying to access food in an extreme climate of hunger. Besides these killings, Israel has targeted and destroyed hospitals. This violence has contributed to the deaths of more than 1,700 health workers. These acts create serious ethical dilemmas about waging war and the protection of non-combatants.
In addition, Israel has been accused of carrying out industrialized torture on Palestinian detainees. Equally disturbing have been reports of Israeli soldiers forcing a man to take turns raping him with an M16 assault rifle. This monstrous act exposes the utter contempt for human dignity. Each of these shocking revelations sparked widespread calls for accountability and investigations into the potential commission of war crimes.
While these concerns are real, Israeli officials are already hard at work to further ensure their military superiority. Simultaneously, they have adopted laws that confer the right to self-determination only to Jewish people, effectively privileging non-Jewish citizens. This policy is a striking example of a harmful global phenomenon where ethnic nationalism is eroding the foundations of democracy and equality.
The international community has responded with alarm. British surgeon Dr. Nick Maynard called the scenario in Gaza “a game of target practice.” His testimony underscores the profound lack of care for human lives in war time. Meanwhile, Muhammad Shehada warned of broader implications: “We’re screaming of a major warning of what’s about to come your way. When you have a media-political class that’s relishing, delighting in the murder of our children, do you think they’re going to care about yours?”
Critics state that Israel’s actions resonate far beyond its borders, encouraging and inviting similar attitudes and behavior to take root elsewhere. The steps that lead to the normalization of violence and dehumanization create perilous precedents. A Republican Congressman noted that “it is not a far stretch to say there are very few innocent Palestinian civilians,” reflecting a rhetoric that could justify further violence against marginalized groups worldwide.