The West's mixed reactions to the war in Ukraine and Gaza

The US and its allies strongly condemn Russia's campaign in Ukraine, but support Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip, regardless of the plight of civilians.

Millions of Ukrainians fled their homes and fled abroad early last year to escape a Russian offensive. Similar scenes recently unfolded for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, as Israel launched a large-scale operation in response to Hamas’s October 7 raid.

The conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip have become controversial topics in American and global politics . The somewhat contradictory reactions of the West to the two conflicts have sparked criticism that the US and its allies are applying double standards in two hot spots around the world.

This stance has sparked much debate in public opinion. "Every life is valuable, whether it is in Israel, Palestine or Ukraine," said Oleksandra Matviichuk, a member of the Center for Civil Liberties (CLL) working in Ukraine, an organization that was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

A group of people move an injured girl after an Israeli raid in the Gaza Strip on October 18. Photo: AFP

"Our image in the eyes of developing countries has been damaged. Many expressed concern when the US criticized Russia's actions as unacceptable and unauthorized, but there were no strong statements about similar actions by Israel in the Gaza Strip," said Senator Chris Coons, a member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

As the conflict in the Gaza Strip has left nearly 15,000 people dead and at least 36,000 injured, several European countries such as Spain, Ireland and Belgium have taken a strongly critical stance towards Israel's bombing campaign.

But the US and many other allies in Europe did not condemn Israel's war, supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stance of "destroying" Hamas and saying that Tel Aviv "has the right to self-defense".

Some US politicians have sought to defend themselves. "We don't have double standards. We stand with the victims," said Senator James Risch, ranking member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Despite its support for Israel’s campaign, the Biden administration has used its political leverage to push Tel Aviv to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. Washington also played a key role in negotiating a temporary ceasefire that helped free dozens of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

A destroyed house in Kharkov, Ukraine in June 2022. Photo: AFP

However, many people think that those excuses and actions are not convincing enough. Images like President Biden or European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen coming to Israel to express support for Tel Aviv's war are difficult to erase, according to observers.

“There is a general perception of double standards in Gaza, but it actually predates the conflict. I think it is largely justified when comparing the European response to Russia’s war in Ukraine,” said Hugh Lovatt, senior fellow for the Middle East, international law and armed conflict at the European Council on Foreign Relations in Germany.

“Each conflict is different, but from an international law perspective, I see a lot of clear similarities between the fighting in Ukraine and Gaza, not only in terms of the need to reduce harm to civilians but also in terms of the unacceptable use of force to take control of territory,” Lovatt added.

The obvious difference between the Ukraine and Gaza conflicts is that Moscow was not attacked, while Tel Aviv used military action to respond to Hamas attacks. However, observers say that in both cases, international law requires the attacker to clearly distinguish between civilian and military targets.

The scale of the destruction Israel has unleashed, along with its efforts to cut off Gaza's water, electricity, food and medical supplies, is seen by many experts as an act that goes against ethical standards and international law.

"The West has every right to criticize Russia's actions in Ukraine. However, when they see the humanitarian plight of the people of Gaza and do not respond in kind, it can be a manifestation of double standards, undermining Western values," Lovatt said.

Thanh Tam (According to WSJ, El Pais )

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