There is no need to say more about this contrast. In his farewell address to the UN General Assembly last week, US President Joe Biden spoke proudly of how he had defended Ukraine and its people against Russian aggression. But he took a different track when it came to the Middle East.
They were cast as 'victims' without showing any concern for the plight of the Palestinian people under Israeli aggression and oppression. Biden urged the world to help Ukraine win the war, saying the United States would not look to a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter.
Biden focused on the "horror of October 7th" and hostages held by Hamas in the Middle East context, though he said little about the death and destruction wrought by Israel's year-long war in Gaza. Calls for adherence to the UN Charter have not been voiced despite Israel's countless transgressions. Biden cited the need for a cease-fire in Gaza and called for a full-scale war to be avoided in the region. But those words ring hollow given the role his administration has played over the past few months.
This role is evident from the multiple US vetoes of cease-fire resolutions at the UN Security Council and Israel's continued armed aggression. In the past year, Washington has provided Israel with more than 12 billion dollars in arms and deployed additional military forces to the region to 'protect Israel'. Last week, Israel allocated an additional 8.7 billion dollars in US military aid. Over the past 11 months, the Biden administration has said little about the more than 41,000 innocent Palestinians killed so far by Israeli military aggression and bombing. The US has not even condemned repeated Israeli attacks on hospitals and medical personnel. The country's government spokesmen are often confused when asked by the media about such blatant violations of international humanitarian law.
This US position has given Israel license to defy UNSC calls for a ceasefire to allow atrocities, ethnic cleansing and aid to Gaza. It is also a violation of the judgment of the International Court of Justice. This US role not only encouraged Israel to continue its genocidal war, but also to launch crackdowns on the occupied West Bank, kill Hamas and Hezbollah commanders in third countries, and intensify attacks on Lebanon. The rest of the states, with the exception of Western countries like the Andes and Norway, have shown complete disregard for international law and basic human rights in their blind support for Israel. Western nations have condemned Russia's military actions and targeting of civilians in Ukraine, but have refused to apply the same policy to Gaza. They never asked if there was any justification for targeting civilians, killing children, bombing hospitals, displacing people and starving the population in Gaza.
On the contrary, they stand up for Israel's right to self-defense and allow Tel Aviv to violate every international law and order, commit war crimes, usurp state sovereignty, and attempt to destroy a nation. This, far from ensuring Israel's security, only increases the number of its enemies and strengthens resistance to the occupation over time.
Arab states have also not glorified themselves by failing to do anything to stop Israel from continuing its genocidal war. There has been a lot of criticism. But their (the Arab states') inaction has helped Israel continue its military aggression.
The Middle East stands at a dangerous crossroads. Israeli tensions have pushed the region to the brink of full-scale conflict. For the brave Palestinian people, this is the darkest time in their oppressed history. But the past proves that their will to resist will challenge this ongoing brutality.
When Israel detonated pagers in Lebanon, not a murmur was heard from Washington and many Western capitals. If any other country had done it, the West would have condemned it as a terrorist attack. Israel has waged a hellish campaign across the West Bank, resulting in the deaths of many civilians and the complete destruction of infrastructure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has exploited the outgoing President Biden administration's 'lame-duck phase' during the US election season to act with impunity and ignore Washington's warnings about the dangers of regional war. Netanyahu also reckons that the US is unwilling to use its leverage (suspension of arms deliveries) to restrain Tel Aviv, especially as the US continues to reiterate its support for Israel's 'right to unconditional self-defence'.
The US's delayed efforts to seek a cease-fire and hostage agreement without putting pressure on Israel and pursuing peace are nothing more than giving enough time to wage a brutal war. Netanyahu has shown no interest in a cease-fire or peace deal because his political survival depends on continuing the war. There are allegations of corruption against him. Netanyahu, a humanitarian, rejected international calls for a ceasefire in his address to the UN General Assembly.
Some officials in the Biden administration could be said to be taking the argument to a 'new level' over Israel's de-escalation of the war. Following this, Tel Aviv carried out devastating airstrikes in Lebanon that killed more than 700 people, the largest in decades. Israel's aggression has also raised fears of a larger multi-front war that could push the entire region to the brink of full-scale conflict.
Iran has reached a critical position by losing its close ally Hezbollah's top leader Hassan Nasrullah in the Israeli attack. So far, Tehran has dealt with moderation. President Massoud Pezeshkian has avoided Israeli baiting to go to war. He did not order a retaliatory response to Israel's killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Iranian soil. While attending the UN General Assembly in New York, Pezeshkian said that Israel was trying to drag his country into a larger war that it had no desire for. Israel has already ordered its troops to prepare for a ground attack on Lebanon, threatening Iran if they cross another red line.
Although the UN General Assembly has seen international support for the Palestinians and strong condemnation of Israel from leaders of the Global South, it has highlighted the hypocrisy and duplicity practiced by Western governments. Spain, Ireland.
Author: Former High Commissioner of Pakistan and Political Scientist in United States, United Kingdom and United Nations
Translated from Don: Ashraful Islam