Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused Western states of hypocrisy and double standards amid a lack of criticism of Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip.
Tom Porteous the deputy program director at the international NGO said in a statement released on HRW’s website that while the United States and European countries denounced Russia’s actions in Ukraine there was no clear condemnation of Israel’s cruelty in Gaza.
“In Ukraine the United States and European governments have rightly upheld these life protecting principles and denounced flagrant violations by Russian forces including indiscriminate attacks unlawful killings extrajudicial executions cutting of electricity and water and torture. And Europe and the US have also rightly supported international efforts to achieve justice for the victims.”
“But the reaction from Washington and &ndash with a few exceptions &ndash from European capitals to Israel’s actions in Gaza since October 7 has been muted. Where is the clear condemnation of the cruel tightening of the 16-year closure of Gaza that amounts to collective punishment a war crime? Where is the outrage at statements by Israeli political leaders that seek to blur the all-important distinction between civilians and combatants in Gaza even as they order ever more intense bombardment of this densely populated territory reducing city blocks and neighborhoods to rubble? Where are the clear and unequivocal calls for Israel to respect international norms in its attack on Gaza let alone for accountability?”
He further described the West’s hypocrisy and double standards as “flagrant and obvious.”
He concluded that they risk undermining years of painstaking work by humanitarian and human rights groups along with some states to strengthen and standardize norms designed to protect civilians caught up in conflicts around the world.
