Some of Israel’s most loyal supporters in Europe are increasingly speaking out against the war in Gaza, with several nations, including Germany, considering trade sanctions and curbs on arms sales.

In recent weeks, the U.K., Netherlands and France have started mulling such moves against Israel to help end the 20-month conflict, which has destroyed much of Gaza and sparked what international aid agencies say is a hunger crisis. Germany’s pivot was the most surprising due to its historical position that protecting Israel is a post-Holocaust obligation.

German anger with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government grew when Israel intensified military operations against Hamas in mid-May and continued blocking aid to Gaza. In the German government’s first such comments since the start of the war, Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the humanitarian situation could “no longer be justified by a fight against Hamas terrorism.”

The sentiment is similar in several other nations and protests have escalated. Last month, the Netherlands saw one of its biggest demonstrations in years.

“It’s simply become impossible for most European governments to continue supporting Israel’s war despite strong ongoing commitments to Israel’s security,” said Julien Barnes-Dacey, program director for the Middle East and North Africa at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

More countries are taking action and calling for the European Union to adopt sanctions on Israel. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, in May said there is “a strong majority” in favor of reviewing the bloc’s trade agreement with Israel.

The EU is Israel’s largest trading partner, with the two exchanging $47 billion of goods last year, according to the International Monetary Fund, and a change in policy would have a palpable impact on the Jewish state’s economy, which is under strain because of the war.

The U.K. announced plans to pause free-trade talks with Israel and sanctions against a handful of individuals and entities it said were engaged in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.

On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that Europe will have to harden its collective stance toward Israel unless the situation in Gaza improves soon.

Italy also recently urged Israel to end the war.

Israel says its escalation of ground and air attacks in Gaza are needed to force Hamas, which rules Gaza, to surrender and release the 58 hostages it still holds.

Iran-backed Hamas, designated a terrorist group by the U.S. and the EU, triggered the war when thousands of fighters crossed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 250.

More than 54,000 Gazans have been killed in the war, according to the Hamas-run health ministry in the Palestinian territory. Israel has lost more than 400 troops.

Netanyahu has lashed out at Macron and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing them of “inviting more such atrocities” on Israel.