The Palestine Issue and the International Situation During 2024 and 2025 … A Study of Global Shifts and Israel’s Declining Standing

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• How did the UN and its institutions respond to developments in the war on Gaza Strip (GS) during 2024 and 2025, and what were the key positions of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and UN Security Council (UNSC)?

• How did the US, Russia, China and the European Union (EU) respond to the war and the Palestine issue?

• How did the war affect Israel’s standing in the international system?

• What role did the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC) play in addressing Israeli violations?

• What are the main emerging trends in international positions toward the Palestine issue?

These and other questions are addressed in a comprehensive reference study published by Al-Zaytouna Centre for Studies and Consultations. The study constitutes Chapter Eight of The Palestine Strategic Report 2024–2025, titled “The Palestine Issue and the International Situation.” It examines the dynamics of the Palestine issue within the international system during 2024 and 2025, focusing on the positions of major international powers, notably the US, Russia, China and the EU, as well as the activities of the UN and its agencies, international courts, humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations, and trends in international public opinion. The chapter is available for free download.

The study finds that Operation al-Aqsa Flood became a central driver of regional and international dynamics in 2024 and 2025, with repercussions extending across the international landscape. These included major international powers, intergovernmental organizations, and the UN and its legal, humanitarian and political bodies, as well as nongovernmental and media organizations. Moreover, Operation al-Aqsa Flood significantly influenced international public opinion, contributing to a decline in Israel’s international standing and reshaping global perceptions of the conflict and the Palestine issue.

The study assesses the UN’s performance, including resolutions adopted by the UNGA and UNSC, as well as the roles of the ICJ and the ICC and the legal developments surrounding the war. It also examines the positions of the US administrations under Joe Biden and Donald Trump, along with those of Russia, China, the EU and Britain. In addition, it reviews the activities of international humanitarian and nongovernmental organizations and the constraints they faced, particularly in delivering humanitarian assistance.

The study also documents a marked decline in Israel’s international standing, accompanied by shifting global public opinion toward its policies. Across a 24-country sample, unfavorable views of Israel averaged 62%, compared with 29% favorable views; similarly, 69% held an unfavorable view of Benjamin Netanyahu, while only 21% viewed him favorably. The study also provides detailed data on public opinion across European, Asian, African and American countries.

Moreover, US public support for Israel’s military campaign in the GS continued to decline, falling from 50% in November 2023 to 32% in July 2025, while opposition rose from 45% to 60%. The decline varied significantly by party affiliation: support among Republicans remained at 71%, whereas it fell among independents and Democrats.

The study concludes that the repercussions of Operation al-Aqsa Flood will continue to shape the international landscape in the near, medium and long term. However, their impact will vary, and their nature will evolve in response to changing conditions within the international system.

Al-Zaytouna Centre offers this chapter for free download, providing an analytical and forward-looking assessment of international positions on the Palestine issue, the roles of major powers and international institutions, and key shifts in the international environment during 2024 and 2025.

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