The hypocrisy of the West in face of Israeli transgressions: Lebanon caught in the crossfire
Tensions in the Middle East have raised once more in recent days, and the Western reaction—or lack thereof—leaves much to be desired. Head of Foreign Policy for the European Union, Josep Borrell, has denounced Israel's strikes in Beirut, resulting in seven deaths including medical professionals. Borrell voiced special indignation that the attacks targeted highly populated regions and health services and said in a social media post on the X network—formerly Twitter—that the strikes violated international humanitarian law.
Though Borrell's words of criticism appear well-meaning, they mirror a more general, troubling trend in Western politics marked by a clear double standard regarding Israel's conduct in Lebanon, Palestine, and beyond. Though words like Borrell's create a surface of humanitarian concern, they are ultimately empty when Western governments keep giving Israel military support and political protection.
Israel's continuous campaign in Lebanon
Israel began a string of airstrikes on what it alleges to be Hezbollah positions in Lebanon starting on September 23. With Israeli bombs destroying whole neighbourhoods to rubble, over 1,101 persons have been murdered and thousands more displaced. With this most recent attack, Israel's lengthy history of military aggression in Lebanon is troublingly continuing. Israeli ground forces started entering southern Lebanon on Tuesday, which set off fierce combat with Hezbollah members. Although both sides have suffered losses, as usual, civilians caught in the crossfire are the main victims of this fight.
Still, the issue is where Western countries—those self-appointed defenders of international law—are screaming? When it comes to Israeli acts, the same nations who are fast to criticise infringement of human rights in other settings seem oddly quiet. Given the larger political scene, Borrell's censure of the strikes seems especially hollow.
Selective Morality of the West
Not only is what we are seeing another military conflict in the area, but it also serves as a clear example of the selective morality of the West about international law and human rights. Western countries, especially the United States, have regularly kept Israel free from serious worldwide responsibility. Israel is free to act with almost total impunity whether via enormous military aid packages or vetoes in the UN Security Council.
The West's response is mainly limited to weak comments of concern, despite obvious proof of disproportionate force and indiscriminate targeting of civilian areas. This contrasts with the public denials and penalties Western governments often inflict on other countries, including Russia, China, or Iran, for similarly—or even less—actions. The hypocrisy is rather evident.
The circumstances reflect in many respects historical Western actions in the Middle East. Western countries are fast to interfere, defend military measures, or apply economic sanctions when it would fit their geopolitical goals. But when their allies are the offenders, they cover under diplomatic platitudes and evasive denials, as though words would be sufficient to heal the damage.
Effects on Lebanon
For Lebanon, the results of this most recent Israeli war are disastrous. Already struggling from years of political unrest, economic crisis, and the aftermath of the 2020 Beirut port explosion, the nation is not ready to welcome another humanitarian calamity. Targeting civilian infrastructure as well as Hezbollah military sites, the Israeli strikes simply worsen the already precarious situation of a population. Essential services are being destroyed in the crossfire as hospitals fill to capacity.
And what of the duty to preserve held by the international society? Where is the application of international humanitarian law, the same legislation that Western leaders such as Borrell advocate to be so focused upon? Clearly prohibiting attacks on civilians and medical professionals, the Geneva Conventions are being blatantly broken. Still, nothing significant has been done to make Israel answerable.
Time for a Reckoning
Western countries should face their double standards now long past time. Israel's assault in Lebanon goes on without any regard for international consequences, although the West's reputation as a supporter of human rights suffers more. Real dedication to international law calls for consistency, not only in line with political expediency but also particularly in cases involving accountability of one's allies.
Until the world community stops ignoring Israeli aggression, the cycle of violence in Lebanon and Palestine will not be broken. If Western countries are really worried about maintaining humanitarian values, they have to cease supporting Israel's transgressions using diplomatic politeness and instead act forcefully to safeguard people and demand responsibility. Anything less is cooperation in the pain the Lebanese people endure.
