In the West of human rights and enlightenment, where the values of justice and freedom are supposed to be sacred, a genocide is taking place in silence in Gaza under a dolorous and antithetical gaze.
The Israeli blockade imposed since 2007 has led to a major economic and humanitarian crisis, highlighting the powerlessness of the circles of power to ensure the protection of civilians. The conflict in Gaza remains unfortunately neglected, with profound implications for the future of Palestinians and regional stability. This situation urgently requires a political and strategic approach, with the horizon of a negotiated two-state solution, respectful of the rights of the Palestinian people.
The Murderous Silence: How the West Let Israel Destroy Gaza
The incisive article by journalist Vincent Brown, published on October 7, 2024 in the prestigious Belgian daily newspaper “La Libre”, offers a critical and enlightening perspective on Western support for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Through the interview with Didier Fassin, eminent professor of ethics at the Collège de France and author of “Une étrange défaite“, the article reveals how the destruction of Gaza was facilitated by tacit approval by Western states, marking a historic break with their moral principles since the Second World War.
Fassin demonstrates that this support does not result from a “moral shame” in the face of past errors towards the Jewish people, but rather from a strategic calculation backed by Washington’s foreign policy aimed at positioning Israel as a Western bastion against cultures perceived as barbaric. While the major democracies justify their position by Israel’s right to self-defense, they systematically obscure the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, thus exacerbating the hypocritical gap in their international policy. This double standard is particularly flagrant in their management of the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine — a touchstone of contemporary tensions — further accentuated by their two-speed rhetoric and their disregard for the suffering of affected civil societies.
In resonance with a multipolar world, the article underlines that the search for alternatives by the countries of the South in the face of Western diktat is becoming inevitable, with only the use of threats remaining a lever of power for the West. While the events of October 7, 2023, can never justify the plan proclaimed by the head of the Jewish state and approved by his Western allies to exterminate an entire people, Brown’s article ingeniously couples with Fassin’s work to dress the hypocrisy of Western elites in Adam and Eve’s clothes.
The Hypocrisy of Western Power Circles: Humanitarian Speeches Versus Strategic Actions
Western governments, including the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom, regularly express outrage at human rights violations in Gaza, calling Israeli actions “unacceptable” and “contrary to international law.” However, their concrete actions contradict these statements. Despite verbal criticism, substantial economic and military support continues to be provided to Israel, as evidenced by the US’s annual military aid of $3.8 billion, representing approximately 20% of Israel’s military budget. This assistance contributes to maintaining the blockade on Gaza, which hampers the local economy and access to essential services, and also funds weapons used in military operations there. In addition, the United States regularly uses its veto in the UN Security Council to neutralize resolutions condemning Israeli actions, thereby blocking international interventions aimed at ending human rights abuses.
At the same time, Western criticism of Israeli settlements in the West Bank remains verbal, with no concrete action taken to dismantle these settlements, which are deemed illegal under international law. Strategic priorities, such as maintaining a military presence in the region, controlling energy resources and limiting Iranian influence, explain this hypocrisy. The consequences are serious: perpetuation of the conflict, suffering with the Palestinians, loss of credibility of the Western minority and growing regional resentment. A reassessment of priorities is necessary to align actions with humanitarian discourse and promote a fair and lasting peace.
The destruction of Gaza: a symbol of the West’s failure on the global chessboard
The destruction of Gaza illustrates a series of multidimensional failures of the West, which is a historical continuity, in particular of the United States and the European Union, on the humanitarian, political, strategic and moral levels. The lack of protection of Palestinian civilians and the inability to foster a lasting peace have led to major human suffering, thus undermining Western legitimacy on the international scene. On the humanitarian level, this crisis has reached unprecedented proportions, with alarming figures such as more than 46,000 homes destroyed and 80% of the inhabitants dependent on humanitarian aid. Politically, the failure of peace negotiations and contradictions in official statements have allowed the continuation of the Israeli occupation, hindering the formation of a viable Palestinian state. Strategically, the region has become a hotbed of instability (Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, etc. under Israeli air vectors), threatening Western economic and geopolitical interests, while eroding their credibility in terms of human rights. Morally, the principles of justice and equality are flouted, leading to a strengthening of extremism. It is crucial for the West to recognize its responsibilities and act to establish a just and lasting peace.
A Forgotten Conflict, Lasting Consequences: Palestinian Future at Stake
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, perceived as “forgotten” by Western power spheres, remains a crushing reality for Palestinians, jeopardizing their future with lasting consequences if left unresolved. This conflict has devastating impacts such as the displacement of over 5 million people, poverty affecting over 30% of the population, lack of access to essential services such as education, health, water and electricity, as well as psychological trauma for many children. The failures of Western powers are manifested in the impasse of peace negotiations, regular vetoes of UN resolutions and insufficient humanitarian aid. In the long term, this conflict risks fostering radicalization, worsening already worrying regional instability and undermining the credibility of Western powers. It is therefore crucial to adopt solutions such as recognition of the Palestinian state, serious peace negotiations, humanitarian and economic support, as well as strengthened protection of human rights. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict must therefore not be relegated to the background. The consequences are tangible and persistent, and it is imperative that Western powers take concrete action to build a just and lasting peace, working with the BRICS Alliance.
It can be said that the West continues to sing its hymn to freedom and democracy, while the ruins of Gaza drown out the cries of the innocent. History repeats itself, lessons are not learned. They (the West) are the heirs of the Enlightenment – they claim, but they have forgotten the art of seeing. They are the defenders of human rights – they say, but they have lost the use of their conscience. Gaza is the mirror of their soul, and it reflects their shame.
Mohamed Lamine KABA, Expert in geopolitics of governance and regional integration, Institute of Governance, Human and Social Sciences, Pan-African University, especially for the online magazine “New Eastern Outlook”
