The world is losing patience with Israel's conduct in the Gaza war and taking steps - restricting exports, canceling professional confabs, backing down on planned business transactions and so on. Local consumers will suffer

The current Israeli government doesn't have a single accomplishment to its credit, only a long series of failures and damage inflicted on every possible front: diplomatic, security, economic and social. When the prime minister, the finance minister and the economy minister are asked what they are doing, say, to curb the appalling cost of living, they mumble something about the "what's good for Europe is good for Israel" reform, which will make it possible to rely on European standards without subjecting goods imported from the Continent to a bureaucratic Via Dolorosa

In March 2023, when the government approved the reform and the accompanying slogan, the ministers didn't imagine that a year later Israel would be coping with a tidal wave of European decisions that would damage the country's economy and its standing in the wake of a war in the Gaza Strip. In recent weeks, Israel has been hammered almost daily by a decision made abroad that eats away at what was known until recently as the "start-up nation" - a magnet for worldwide investments

Every such announcement comes on the heels of others, creating a feeling that multinational companies and European states think they need to punish Israel, or at least keep their distance from it.

A wise decision, in light of the ICC's various rulings on the criminal country.

On the diplomatic front, last week Spain, Norway and Ireland declared their recognition of a Palestinian state. Other European countries are considering their moves and could follow suit. In a particularly galling measure, the government of the Maldives stated that Israelis would no longer be allowed into the country, against the background of the Gaza war.

Poor dears. Victims again.

On the economic front, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan imposed a boycott on the export to Israel of both merchandise and raw materials. That was not surprising, in light of his hostility toward Israel. What was surprising was the decision by France to cancel Israel's participation in the Eurosatory 2024 arms and defense exhibition, slated to be held in Paris later this month, in protest of the Israel Defense Forces' operation in Rafah.

The event is one of the largest of its kind in Europe, and Israel's security companies have a lot to show off there at this time, when the Russia-Ukraine war is prompting many European countries to acquire advanced weapons. They also would have a large advantage stemming from the fact that their products are in use in the present war in Gaza, enabling them to demonstrate what the munitions can do in real time. War cabinet Minister Benny Gantz has urged France's prime minister, Gabriel Attal, to revoke the decision, which he characterized as "a prize to terrorism.

That sounds like a roundabout way of saying: We've gotten along without activity in Israel so far, and there's no reason to rile our Muslim clients in Europe. The chain had already faced criticism from pro-Palestinian groups, which demonstrated outside its branches in London and collected signatures on petitions calling for its boycott.

McDonald's, too, is dealing with a pro-Palestinian boycott that has cut into its sales across the world, according to its reports. In April, the global company, in a lightning transaction, acquired the chain's 225 branches in Israel from the franchisee, Omri Padan, who established the company's presence in Israel in 1993

In fact, the penetration of McDonald's into Israel was one of the harbingers of the end of the Arab boycott that Israel had coped with since its establishment. The chain's acquisition of its operations in Israel is intended to reduce friction with its Muslim clients internationally, in part to reduce McDonald's being identified with IDF soldiers and with the captives being held in Gaza.

After October 7, Padan had initiated an unprecedented campaign of a 50-percent reduction for soldiers in uniform at all the chain's local branches - thus stepping up the pressure on the global network. It's thought that after the new transaction is completed, McDonald's will cut back or cancel the discount, in the hope of allaying the criticism and the international boycott of the chain.

High-tech too - the flagship of Israel's economy - has faced difficulties stemming from the war. In this case, however, the situation is not perceived as a boycott but as a temporary lowering of profile by foreign investors until the fighting ends. According to data presented last week by the governor of the Bank of Israel, Prof. Amir Yaron, the amount of capital raised in the second quarter of 2024 will total $3.5 billion, representing a significant increase compared to the past six quarters, when the average amount of capital raised per quarter stood at $2 billion. The continuation of this trend is critical for the Israeli economy during a period in which the country is being viewed ever more negatively.

The boycotts will have a long-term effect on the cost of living and on competitiveness. We have already seen price rises in recent months in reaction to the war - El Al jacking up ticket costs when foreign carriers stopped flying to Israel; shipping rates rising due to the Houthi missile threat; an uptick in real estate and produce prices because of a shortage of construction and agriculture workers; and even the fact that fewer Israelis are traveling abroad, raising demand for everything at home. All of the preceding has been compounded by a distracted government that is failing to address the cost-of-living issue. If the boycott expands, Israeli consumers will only feel it deeper in their pocket,

What's good for Europe just now, is less good for Israel

Police shoot man dead after Euro 2024 party attack

A man went on the rampage in Wolmirstedt, in eastern Saxony-Anhalt state, killing another man and stabbing people at a private football party. The assailant was later shot dead by the police.

A man attacked several people in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, including at a private party to mark the opening of the Euro 2024 soccer tournament, before he was shot and killed by the police.

© Thomas Schulz/dpa/picture allianceThe stabbings took place shortly after kickoff in the opening match between Germany and Scotland

German police said Saturday that the attacker had initially stabbed a young man in Wolmirstedt, a town of 12,000 people north of Magdeburg, who later died of his injuries.

German police said the attacker was a 27-year-old Afghan national and his first victim was also from Afghanistan.

The assailant then rushed through a nearby allotment, reportedly threatening people with a "knife-like object."

He entered the property where the party was taking place to watch the Germany vs. Scotland match and allegedly stabbed attendees at random. Three people were injured.

The attack happened a few minutes after kickoff in the Group A game, police said. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

"There are currently no indications of a religiously motivated act," the police said.

Injured said to be in a serious condition

Two of the injured, a 50-year-old and a 75-year-old man, are badly wounded, police said. A 56-year-old man was slightly hurt.

The assailant was later shot dead by police.

The police said the man approached officers as they arrived at the scene and "firearms were used." The perpetrator "died in hospital" from gunshot wounds, the police added.

Mostly peaceful opening night

The opening night of Euro 2024 passed off mostly peacefully across the country. There have been worries in the run-up to the tournament that a major attack could take place.

Germany beat Scotland 5-1 at the Allianz Arena in the southern German city of Munich.

Euro 2024 matches are being played in 10 stadiums, from Hamburg in the north of Germany to Munich in the south, until July 14.

• 6th June: ANOTHER knife attack targeting Germany's right wing: AfD candidate stabbed during confrontation over election poster
• 12th April: '1930s Germany': Police shut down Palestine conference, block Gaza doctor from entering country
• 1st March: Germany: 4 shot dead overnight, soldier turns himself in; high school stabbing, 2 seriously injured

• Australian police shoot dead 16-year-old boy after he stabbed a man - attacker was known to authorities and WARNED them day before incident
• UK's record breaking crime wave: Shoplifting spikes 37% in just 12 months, police attend less than 40% of thefts, knife attacks up 7%

• The summer of living dangerously
• Scholz and Macron should quit politics - Medvedev
• French far right obliterates Macron's party in EU election

Woman detained by French police over Palestinian scarf

Watch the moment police detained and fined a woman wearing a traditional Palestinian scarf known as a keffiyeh, accusing her of being part of an illegal protest in Lyon.

France bans all pro-Palestinian protests

The ban had been announced earlier in the day, according to a message sent by French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin to the country's police, citing concerns about public order.

"Pro-Palestinian demonstrations must be prohibited because they are likely to generate disturbances to the public order," said the minister. He added that any organization of such protests will lead to arrests.

Another protester described the ban as a "great injustice" and told Reuters that he had been fined 135 euros (roughly $140) for wearing the keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf.