Reactions to the 2014 Gaza War came from around the world.

The United States and Canada were supportive of IsraelCanadian Prime Minister Harper Praised for Statement in Support of Israel's Gaza Campaign The Algemeiner Retrieved 25 August 2014. and critical of Hamas. The BRICS countries called for restraint on both sides and a return to peace talks based on the Arab Peace Initiative. The European Union condemned the violations of the laws of war by both sides, while stressing the "unsustainable nature of the status quo", and calling for a settlement based on the two-state solution. The Non-Aligned Movement, the Arab League, and most Latin American countries were critical of Israel, with some countries in the latter group withdrawing their ambassadors from Israel in protest. South Africa called for restraint by both sides and an end to "collective punishment of Palestinians".

Pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrations took place throughout the world and in Israel and the Palestinian territories. According to OCHA, during demonstrations, 23 Palestinians were killed and 2,218 were wounded by the IDF, 38% of the latter by live fire. (outdated figures)Gideon Levy, 'The IDF's real face', Haaretz, 30 August 2014.Protection of Civilians: OCHA Weekly Report 24-30 June 2014, West Bank : as of 30 June (prior to Operation Protective Edge), 17 Palestinians had been killed by Israeli forces in 2014; Protection of Civilians: OCHA Weekly Report 2-8 September 2014, West Bank : as of 8 September (after Operation Protective Edge), the number had risen to 40

Rising anti-Semitism and anti-Semitic violence broke out concurrent to, and in many cases, directly related to the conflict. The UN Secretary-General and many European leaders condemned the phenomenon.

The United Nations Human Rights Council announced a panel headed by William Schabas to investigate accusations of war crimes by both sides. Major human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemned human rights violations by both sides and called for an arms embargo for the region.

Commercial airlines in several countries banned flights to Israel because of safety concerns. The restrictions were later lifted.

After the 26 August ceasefire, the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research polled the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. 79% of respondents said that Hamas had won the war and 61% said that they would pick Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as the Palestinian president, up from 41% before the war.

Official reactions

Supranational bodies

ALBA – In a statement ALBA condemned Israeli attacks and added that the offensive violates even the most minimum standards of international humanitarian law by indiscriminately attacking civilians. It also offered "its unconditional solidarity, support and sympathy to the people of Palestine against the new wave of violence." – AL's representatives condemned Israeli air raids and asked the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to hold an emergency meeting. Secretary General Nabil Elaraby condemned the Israeli attacks in Shejaia. In a statement, the organisation said: "El-Araby...considered Israel's terrible shelling and ground attack operations in the neighborhood of Shejaia as a war crime against Palestinian civilians and a dangerous escalation." BRICS- A declaration at the 6th BRICS summit in Brazil called upon Israel and Palestine to end the conflict and resume negotiations leading to a peaceful two-State solution. It also called upon UNSC to fully exercise its functions under the United Nations Charter with regard to the conflict. Gulf Cooperation Council – Secretary-General Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani condemned Israel for its repressive and vengeful policies which "represent a blatant violation of the Palestinians' inalienable rights and a flagrant affront to the international laws." He also described the assault as "reflecting Israel's rejection of the peace process" and called upon the international community and UNSC to "assume their responsibilities and act quickly to protect the Palestinian people and put an end to the brutal Israeli shelling of Gaza Strip." – "The EU strongly condemns the indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas and militant groups... All terrorist groups in Gaza must disarm. The EU condemns calls on the civilian population of Gaza to provide themselves as human shields, and the loss of hundreds of civilian lives, among them many women and children...While recognizing Israel's legitimate right to defend itself against any attacks, the EU underlines that the Israeli military operation must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law..."is particularly appalled by the human cost" of the operation in Shejaia and was "deeply concerned at the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation...This tragic escalation of hostilities confirms again the unsustainable nature of the status quo with regard to the situation in the Gaza Strip." Non-Aligned Movement – NAM and President of Iran Hassan Rouhani condemned the Israeli air strikes and called on international bodies to force Israel to stop raids on civilians. "[The] siege of Gaza Strip must be fully and immediately lifted and humanitarian aids must be forwarded to the Palestinians in need of them there." – UNSC called for de-escalation, restoration of the 2012 ceasefire, respect for international law and resumption of direct negotiations between both the parties. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay stated that reports of attacks on homes raise doubts about whether Israeli attacks are legal under international law. She also called for an investigation into the Israeli air strikes.

States

Involved parties

– On 11 July, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the criticism of international and local human rights groups and promised to continue the attacks. He declared: "No international pressure will prevent Israel from continuing its operation in Gaza ... The leaders of Hamas are hiding behind the citizens of Gaza, and they are responsible for all casualties." The IDF spokesman's office tweeted when the operation began that the "IDF has commenced Operation Protective Edge in Gaza against Hamas, in order to stop the terror Israel's citizens face on a daily basis." – On 8 July Palestinian government spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said the operation was "a declaration of war on Palestinians". Protesting what he described as a massacre of innocents, he added that "Palestinians have the right to defend themselves by all legitimate means." Khalil al-Haya, Palestinian negotiator said "It was a war of necessity not a war of choice. We had no choice but to defend ourselves,". He further said "We are united and are unified in blood and dead bodies. We are one front, one side, one body ... We are all engaged in one battle defending our people. The war is the beginning of liberation."

International

– On 16 July, Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra urged the international community to act to get Israel to immediately cease its attacks and respect the truce from November 2012. "While condemning in the strongest terms the barbaric attacks against the defenceless Palestinian people, we believe that these attacks were encouraged by the complacent silence of the international community to Israeli expansionist policies and their negative impact on peace and security in the region," Lamamra said. He also underlined the need for urgent action within the United Nations. – On 20 July, the Foreign Ministry condemned the violence, while speaking out against the acts committed by both sides in the conflict. "Once more, and for the third time in less than six years, civilian populations have been trapped in the middle of armed actions from Hamas and the disproportionate, excessive use of military force by Israel. Argentina sends a profound, pained tribute to all of the children that have been killed in the last few weeks. We vigorously condemn Israel, defying calls from the Security Council, the Secretary General and many other voices from the international community, for having decided to escalate the crisis launching a ground offensive. This decision will only create further instability in the region, more victims and more suffering. At the same time, we condemn the continued and indiscriminate launch of rockets from Gaza to Israeli cities." Soon afterwards, Argentina's representative at the U.N. Security Council, Maria Cristina Perceval, reiterated the position, condemning Israel's "indiscriminate abuse of militarism" and "disproportionate use of force." – On 12 July, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement that strongly condemned the "Israeli aggression" and called for an immediate cessation of atrocities on Gaza civilians. The statement also said that they were shocked at the recent Israeli violence. – On 10 July, The Kingdom of Bahrain condemned the latest Israeli escalation and repeated its rejection of violence and the need to stop all military operations. The Kingdom advised the international community to compel Israel to comply with international law and end its violations. They also stressed their full support and solidarity with the Palestinian people. – On 22 July, in a statement Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo stated "Although I accept Israel's legitimate security measures, I also condemn the completely disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military, including the attack on the neighborhood of Shujaya." – On 10 July, the Bolivian Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli offensive and called on Jerusalem to cease hostilities. The Foreign Ministry also called on the international community to intervene to stop "the genocide" and stressed that "should respect and comply with international agreements and treaties." On 31 July Bolivian President Evo Morales declared Israel a "terrorist state". – Republika Srpska leader Milorad Dodik expressed his support for Israel and the Jewish people. He stated that the Republika Srpska was closely following events, that it supported Israel's right to protect its citizens and property and defend itself from "terrorist threats and the actions of Islamist militant groups". Bakir Izetbegović, the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, called for an end to conflict and wished for "the peaceful co-existence of all inhabitants of Gaza and other places". He stated that Gaza "was for many years a target of Israeli attack" and warned that the world was "becoming used to violence perpetrated by Israel". – On 17 July, the Federal government of Brazil released a statement condemning the Israeli bombing as a disproportionate use of force that had resulted in civilian deaths. It recalled its ambassador in protest. Brazil's Special Advisor for International Relations was quoted saying "For the love of God, what we have here is genocide, a massacre, to the point where top UN officials are starting to talk about war crimes". – Prime Minister Stephen Harper expressed support for Israel and condemned Hamas. Harper said "It is evident that Hamas is deliberately using human shields to further terror in the region." Foreign Minister John Baird also condemned Hamas' rocket attacks against Israel. Baird added that the attacks "prove that Hamas continues to target innocent civilians," and that "Canada believes that Israel has every right to defend itself from such belligerent acts of terrorism."