In the wake of the October 7th attack on Israel, the international community found itself once again entangled in a web of contradictions and double standards, particularly concerning the stance of the West and pro-Israel advocates. As the dust settled and the world assessed the aftermath, glaring inconsistencies in reactions surfaced, once again highlighting the hypocrisy that always seems to govern global responses to conflicts in the Middle East.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., Hamas initiated an attack on Israel from multiple locations along its border with the Gaza Strip. This assault involved ground and motorized infiltration into Israeli territory, massacres of Israeli civilians, and takeovers of settlements and military facilities. These coordinated attacks, backed by sustained rocket fire, resulted in a significant loss of life, with at least 220 people taken hostage in various incidents and 1400 killed, including a music festival near Re’im according to Israel Defence Forces. Hamas demands the return of Palestinian political prisoners in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
Following the attack, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant announced plans to impose a comprehensive blockade on Hamas-controlled Gaza, one of the world’s most densely populated areas with a population of 2.3 million. This blockade involves cutting electricity, restricting the entry of food and fuel, and effectively isolating the region. The current Israeli blockade on Gaza has been in effect since June 2007. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has updated the casualties resulting from the Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Since October 7, at least 8,525 people have died, including 3,542 children and 2,187 women. Approximately 2,000 people, including 1,100 children, are still missing, with most presumed dead and buried under rubble. At least 21,543 individuals have sustained injuries of varying severity. Israel has adopted a limited approach in the besieged territory, primarily using heavy air bombardment.
First and foremost, the hypocrisy lies in the disproportionate outrage directed at Hamas, while largely ignoring the extensive history of violence carried out by the Israeli government, including the disproportionate use of force, the relentless expansion of settlements and the crippling blockade imposed on Gaza for years. The blockade, enforced by Israel, has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, with basic necessities such as food, water and medical supplies severely restricted. Israel, a state armed with one of the most powerful militaries globally, has historically responded to such incidents with overwhelming force, often leading to civilian casualties in staggering numbers. The overwhelming condemnation of Hamas for violence while turning a blind eye to the collective punishment imposed on the entire Gaza population, which have resulted in far greater loss of life, is bizarre.
Another layer of hypocrisy is revealed in the narrative surrounding terrorism. While Hamas is swiftly labeled a terrorist organization, the actions of the Israeli government often escape the same scrutiny. Such as the Israeli military’s breach of medical neutrality and deliberate airstrikes on civilian populated areas and the other various war crimes cited by Human Rights Watch (which have fallen on deaf ears). The reluctance to acknowledge the Israeli government’s actions as potential acts of terrorism showcases a very clear and dangerous double standard that undermines the credibility of international discourse on the matter.
In order to justify such violence, international leaders including U.S. President Biden, French President Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy have issued statements in support of Israel’s right to “self-defense”—an utterly ridiculous notion and hollow excuse that serves as a cloak for aggression and self-interest. The absurdity of Israel’s right to self-defense looms large in the face of its overwhelming military might pitted against an occupied population. To claim self-defense while maintaining a brutal blockade, constructing illegal settlements and suppressing basic human rights is just absurd. How can a nation armed to the teeth and equipped with advanced weaponry, justify its actions as mere defense when it unleashes devastating attacks on civilian populations, leaving entire communities in ruins? True self-defense does not involve bulldozing homes, restricting access to vital resources, or subjecting innocent children to a lifetime of trauma.
This article also appears in our November 2023 print edition.
