The government, in a statement, stressed that he was the subject of international legal proceedings on allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Other countries have announced that they would arrest Netanyahu if he entered their territory and turn him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which issued a warrant for his arrest on charges of the crime of starvation as a method of warfare and other crimes related to the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Belgium has banned all aircraft and ships carrying weapons to Israel from using its air and seaports. The list of countries imposing similar restrictions on arms shipments to Israel includes Spain, Turkey, and the members of the Hague Group, which is made up of South Africa, Senegal, Malaysia, and a number of Latin American countries.
The expanding global boycott movement against Israel extends beyond arms supplies to include other key sectors. Boycotts have contributed to the sharp declines in domestic consumption, exports, and foreign investment. The Turkish boycott, a pioneering example, has led to a 64 per cent drop in Turkish imports from Israel and a near-total halt in Israeli exports to Turkey.
In the academic and research sector, Israeli institutions are experiencing an unprecedented decline in international cooperation. In 2025, the “Horizon Europe” research programme recorded its lowest level of joint projects with Israel since it joined the programme.
In culture and the arts, the boycott is gaining worldwide impetus, with musicians, performers, and other artists from across the globe refusing to participate in events in Israel or work with its cultural institutions. Major international cultural events have had to be cancelled or relocated outside Israel.
In sports, international sporting bodies are coming under growing pressure to suspend Israel’s membership or restrict its participation. In 2025, the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships scheduled to be held in Israel were cancelled and the European Water Polo Championships had to be moved to another country.
Israel increasingly resembles the South African apartheid regime before it was ultimately brought down by the international boycott. Will Israeli apartheid meet the same fate?
* A version of this article appears in print in the 12 February, 2026 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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