Israel, 'a pariah' at home and abroad, defies plea to end Gaza aid blockade

Despite fierce criticism from senior Israelis and western leaders, the Netanyahu government still restricts food into the stricken territory.

- Ruth Michaelson, Middle East correspondent

In a week when some of Israel's closest allies issued their strongest condemnations since the war in Gaza began 19 months ago, it was the words from senior Israeli political figures that had the biggest impact.

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert said Israel's actions in Gaza were “very close to a war crime”, while leftwing firebrand politician and ex-military deputy chief of staff Yair Golan warned that “Israel is on the path to becoming a pariah state, like South Africa once was.”

Golan, who leads the leftist Democrats party, went further: “A sane state does not wage war against civilians, does not kill babies as a hobby and does not set goals for itself such as the expulsion of a population.”