Barak Sari, a prominent Israeli strategic advisor at the occupation's Channel 12, has warned of "Israel's" international isolation, citing rising hostility from allies, the spread of boycott movements, and a collapsing global image due to the war on Gaza and inflammatory domestic political rhetoric.

In a post on his X account, Sari revealed that a call from an Israeli friend living in the United States highlighted the shifting perceptions of "Israel": "Our best friends have begun to see Israel as a gang of monsters. The American media is slaughtering us, and the situation on the networks is frightening," he said, quoting the conversation reported by Israeli newspaper Maariv.

Sari noted that his business partners in the US are becoming increasingly alienated and uneasy with "Israel’s" actions and public image.

The concern, according to Sari, is not confined to the United States. He stressed that "the situation in Europe is worse," describing what he views as a "complete political collapse." This, he said, is reflected in growing criticism over alleged war crimes, the rapid rise of boycott campaigns, and the erosion of "Israel’s" legitimacy at both institutional and popular levels.

Israeli boycott fears and diplomatic fallout

Sari warned that this backlash against the Gaza war could result in tangible consequences such as "travel restrictions or the targeting of cultural and scientific delegations with boycotts, and sports delegations with boycotts." He framed the moment as a pivotal diplomatic crisis, not limited to political opinion but spilling into economic, academic, and social spheres.

The advisor stressed that the growing Israeli global image crisis is not merely a byproduct of military actions in Gaza. Instead, he attributed the deterioration to statements by government officials, especially Israeli Minister Amichay Eliyahu, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to manage the public discourse effectively.

Sari also criticized Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar for prioritizing domestic political maneuvering over international diplomacy, saying he is "courting his electoral base and attacking the legal advisor" instead of confronting external threats.

Sari’s warnings align with a series of recent concerns raised by diplomats, journalists, and former officials who say "Israel" is facing unprecedented isolation on the global stage, exacerbated by its continued aggression in the Gaza Strip and escalating humanitarian violations.

Read next: From North to South, ‘Israel’ isolated, cornered, and dealt blows