An Israeli columnist has warned that Israel could face a broader wave of international isolation if Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power after the country’s next election.
In an analysis published ahead of the Oct. 27 vote, Nahum Barnea said European governments were keeping possible sanctions in reserve until after the election. Measures initially connected to settlements in the occupied West Bank could, he cautioned, spread into other areas of public and economic life.
Pressure beyond government policy
Barnea identified business activity, visas, sports, cultural exchanges and academic research as areas that could face growing pressure. He also pointed to debate over Israel’s place in European sports and music events, as well as its participation in the European Union’s Horizon Europe research programme.
Travel links could also be affected. Barnea cited the cancellation of a flight to Mauritius after permission for an Air Seychelles aircraft to land was denied. He warned that airline services and aviation support could face further disruption if pressure expands.
The election’s international impact
Barnea argued that a Netanyahu victory could itself intensify opposition abroad, because the prime minister has become a prominent symbol in debates over Israel’s policies. The warning comes amid calls for boycotts linked to the war in Gaza, which began in October 2023, and Israel’s settlement policy in the occupied West Bank.
The forecast is an assessment by the columnist, rather than a prediction of specific sanctions. The scale of any future measures will depend on decisions by governments, institutions, businesses and civil society groups.
