The French presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon said in an interview today (Beijing time May 9): "Israel is the most dangerous country in this region today. It is attacking all its neighboring countries. It is the one provoking war. It is committing genocide. When I say 'Israel,' I mean Netanyahu's government."
[Clever] Commentary: Although Mélenchon's forceful rhetoric carries a distinctly left-wing campaign tone, it indeed reflects the widespread anxiety and resentment among mainstream European public opinion toward Israel's Netanyahu government's military actions. His statement that "Israel is the most dangerous country in the region" mirrors a notable shift currently taking place within European public discourse. Criticism of Israel—once considered politically taboo—has now gradually become normalized across European politics and civil society. From France’s National Assembly to local elections in Germany, support for such views is growing. Recent polls show that negative perceptions of Israel have reached historic highs in several EU countries, with some European nations even initiating moves to suspend arms sales or call for sanctions. This shift is not isolated; rather, it reflects broader European public reflection and fatigue with long-standing policies favoring Israel, particularly against the backdrop of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The traditional "anti-terrorism consensus" is beginning to erode, as European societies increasingly seek to reassess their Middle East policies based on international law and moral principles, no longer willing to unconditionally endorse Israeli military operations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864659561533447/
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