Facts as Opposed to Public Discourse
In recent weeks, there have been more references to growing international criticism of the IDF’s Gaza operations and mounting pressure on Israel.
President Macron, in a speech opening a security forum in Singapore last week, said that he heard the voice in this region, as well in Africa, South America, the Gulf, about the double standard in Gaza, where a lot think that the Americans and the Europeans are giving a free pass to Israel, and this is a big risk.[i]
He said: “… we did condemn the terrorist attack from Hamas. We work very hard with some key partners… to release the hostages… We do support all the initiatives taken for a ceasefire… The emergency is for a humanitarian answer. And we do have to work very hard for recognition of a Palestinian state and mutual recognition in order to create a strong architecture of security in the region… this is the only way not to leave the floor to those saying, ‘you live with double standards’. If we abandon Gaza, if we consider there is a free pass for Israel, even if we do condemn the terrorist attacks, we kill our own credibility in the rest of the world.”
Also last week, the Washington Post published an article titled, “Europe’s leaders are scolding Israel over Gaza, but will they go further?”[ii]
The article gave a summary of recent rebukes of Israel, a possible review by the EU of its trade relations with Israel, the remote possibility of a full suspension of trade ties, and efforts to recognize a Palestinian state, adding that a State Department spokesperson had called the condemnation from Western allies “grandstanding”, meaning “behaving in a way that makes people pay attention to you instead of thinking about more important matters” according to Collins dictionary.
Looking at the developments of the past 600 days, one can only agree with the spokesperson. Essentially, the criticism directed at Israel is a distraction.
The Gaza death toll is now above 53,000. Homes have been razed to the ground. Sanitation is a huge problem. Around 80% of the Strip is covered by evacuation orders and Israeli-militarized zones. The UN has warned that Gaza’s entire population is at risk of famine despite the partial lifting of the Israeli blockade. The Israeli government has approved 22 new settlements in the West Bank, where escalation in settler violence has become another big problem, bringing to mind the possibility that West Bank Palestinians may eventually be forced to go to Gaza and beyond. Israel barred Arab Foreign Ministers from a West Bank visit ahead of a June conference led by France and Saudi Arabia to discuss the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Yet, all one reads about in the Western media is “growing pressure on Israel”.
Today, the State of Palestine is recognized by 147 of the 193 member states of the UN. However, the recognition of the state of Palestine has not changed anything on the ground.
Hopefully, Israeli strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities would not throw the Middle East into further chaos.
As for Türkiye, there is little to be said as pessimism reigns. We are watching a dark movie with stories within stories, endless dawn operations, detentions, and arrests.
The 1997 movie “Titanic” was nominated for 14 Academy Awards and won 11, including Best Picture and Best Director.
Turkish democracy is also sinking, but unlike the Titanic, this movie will bring Türkiye no rewards.
[i] file:///C:/Users/alitu/Documents/keynote-address_president-macron_as-delivered.pdf
[ii] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/30/eu-israel-gaza-war/