Trump’s Comments on Gaza Reflect Israel’s Growing Isolation

Through more than 18 months of war in Gaza, Israel has faced intense criticism from foreign leaders and aid groups but has rarely experienced sustained public censure, let alone concrete repercussions, from its close allies.

Until now.

In recent weeks, partners such as the United States, Britain and France have become more willing to place Israel under overt pressure, culminating in President Trump’s call on Sunday for the war to wind down.

“Israel, we’ve been talking to them, and we want to see if we can stop that whole situation as quickly as possible,” Mr. Trump told reporters in New Jersey shortly before boarding Air Force One.

Those comments contrast with the public position Mr. Trump held entering office in January, when he blamed Hamas rather than Israel for the war’s continuation. He was also careful to present a united front with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel.

Mr. Trump’s latest comment followed a coordinated effort by Britain, Canada and France to criticize Israel’s decision to expand its operations in Gaza. In a joint statement last week, the three countries — which had broadly supported Israel’s right to respond to the Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023 — said the expansion was “wholly disproportionate.” All three countries warned of concrete repercussions if Israel did not change course.

Britain has since suspended trade negotiations with Israel. It also placed sanctions on Israeli extremists leading efforts to force Palestinians from land in the Israeli-occupied West Bank — one of its most consequential moves against Israeli interests since it dropped its opposition last year to an arrest warrant issued against Mr. Netanyahu. Separately, France is organizing a conference, which will be held in June in partnership with Saudi Arabia, to discuss the creation of a Palestinian state — an outcome Mr. Netanyahu has vowed to oppose.