Holding his own in the great game of hypocrisy

Dennis Ignatius : [1] Perhaps no other issue in recent times exposes the hypocrisy of world leaders than the tragedy now unfolding in Gaza.

[2] Let’s start with Western hypocrisy. Western leaders pretend to be great icons of democracy and human rights. They never tire of preaching these values to the rest of the world and do not hesitate to take to task those who fall short of their standards. But their commitment to these “universal” values are only skin deep.

Hypocrites are the Devil's instruments

[3] In practice, they operate on the principle that their enemies must adhere to democratic standards of behaviour while their friends are free to do as they wish. Thus, countries like Russia, China and Iran are harshly criticised for their undemocratic behaviour while countries like Israel – dubbed the only democracy in the Middle East – can get away with the most appalling disregard for human rights. It is criminal for Russia to invade Ukraine, but Israel is justified in invading, occupying and annexing Palestinian land and killing its people at will.

[4] Western leaders see themselves as guided by great humanitarian ideals and want us to note how they go out of their way to send food and other humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. But what does it really say about their humanity when they provide missiles to the aggressor to maim and kill the people of Gaza and then rush food to the victims of those same weapons? America has the power to stop Israel’s war of aggression against Gaza but instead of doing it, American officials fly around the region trying to “broker” peace.

[5] Hypocrisy is not in short supply elsewhere in the Middle East either. Arab and Muslim leaders hold big conferences, talk about Muslim brotherhood and condemn the slaughter of Palestinians but it’s all just talk. For all their bombast, they’ve done very little to stop the carnage. Student protestors in America have done more to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people than many of these Islamic nations.

Read it all here on the Great Hypocrite....