Israel has responded with escalating threats and retaliatory measures. Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the recognitions as “rewards for terrorism,” while Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar warned of “severe consequences” for countries supporting Palestinian statehood. Israel has recalled ambassadors, intensified military operations in Gaza, and hinted at renewed strikes on Iran following its June 2025 offensive. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich proposed expanding West Bank settlements as a countermeasure, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called for harsher military action. These moves have drawn sharp criticism, with human rights organizations accusing Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war and violating international law.
Amid the mounting backlash, Israel now faces intensified accusations of being a terrorist state itself. Critics point to its blockade of humanitarian aid, targeted assassinations, and indiscriminate bombing campaigns as hallmarks of state-sponsored terror, or, more bluntly, genocide. This characterization has gained momentum across global media and civil society, especially in light of reports detailing deliberate starvation tactics and attacks on aid convoys. While Israeli officials claim their operations are defensive and focused on dismantling terrorist networks, the expanding chorus of international condemnation suggests a seismic shift in how the world perceives Israel’s role in the conflict.