Trump Signals Shift as Israel Faces Increasing Pressure Over Gaza Conflict

Over the course of more than 18 months of conflict in Gaza, Israel has endured sharp criticism from global leaders and humanitarian organizations, yet sustained public rebuke or tangible consequences from its closest allies have been rare.

This stance appears to be changing.

In recent weeks, nations such as the United States, Britain, and France have increasingly expressed open pressure on Israel, culminating in President Trump’s recent appeal for a swift resolution to the conflict.

Speaking to reporters in New Jersey just before boarding Air Force One, President Trump stated, “We have been in communication with Israel, and we want to see if we can bring this situation to an end as quickly as possible.”

This marks a notable departure from the position President Trump held upon taking office in January, when he primarily attributed the continuation of the war to Hamas and maintained a united front with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The president’s remarks come in the wake of a coordinated critique by Britain, Canada, and France regarding Israel’s decision to widen its military operations in Gaza. In a joint statement issued last week, these countries—previously supportive of Israel’s right to respond to Hamas’s October 2023 attacks—deemed the expanded offensive as “wholly disproportionate.” They also cautioned that failure to alter course could result in concrete consequences.

In response, Britain has paused trade talks with Israel and imposed sanctions on Israeli extremists involved in efforts to displace Palestinians from territories in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This move represents one of Britain’s most significant actions against Israeli interests since it withdrew its opposition last year to an arrest warrant issued against Prime Minister Netanyahu. Separately, France is preparing to host a conference in June, in collaboration with Saudi Arabia, aimed at discussing the establishment of a Palestinian state—a prospect firmly opposed by Netanyahu.