It’s Not Genocide as Long as We’re Doing It?

 

One of the most noticeable things about South Africa’s case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is the fact that it has highlighted the divisions in global politics. If you were to look at who is supporting the South African case, you’ll notice that they are primarily what the Once and Future President of the USA called “S***hole” countries. The countries supporting Israel are inevitably the developed ones lead by the world’s hyperpower – the USA.

Every time you look at the news, you’ll have a Western leader talking about how the case against Israel is “meritless” or as the German’s recently promised, they would “intervene” on behalf of Israel. British Foreign secretary, David Cameroon even went as far as to call the entire case “Nonsense,” despite having no legal training to comment on the merits of the case:

https://news.sky.com/story/nonsense-for-south-africa-to-accuse-israel-of-genocide-says-foreign-secretary-13048098

 

 Now, I do get where a lot of nations are coming from. Israel was attacked on October 7 and the desire to hit back is understandable. Let’s never forget that part of the thing that got the Western World so involved in the creation of the State of Israel was in part due to the guilt of committing genocide against Jewish people. Having spent a part of my formative years in Germany, I can confidently say that the one thing that will NEVER happen is a German Chancellor talking about “Fine People” whenever Nazis involved. The world will never allow the Germans to forget that part of their history and the Germans have been diligently trying to redeem themselves ever since 1945.

However, as one Chinese diplomat points out – yes, the attack against Israel was morally repugnant and condemned but that doesn’t mean that the subsequent reprisals are justified either.

 

 

Then, there is the inevitable comparison between the two legal teams. The internet is filled with videos providing critiques of how both sides performed and it becomes clear that were this case left to pure merit, it would be a case of the Springboks steamrolling the Israeli rugby team. South African lawyers were calm, composed and on point. They anticipated every counter argument and answered it. The Israeli team by contrast were in a shambles. One of the best memes on TikTok involved Israel’s lead lawyer, Malcom Shaw talking about how someone had “shuffled his papers.”

So, one has to ask, why Western leaders have been so keen to defend Israel despite the evidence? The Western World, which has a beacon global civilization in the last two centuries finds itself on trial.

On one hand, everyone is quick to condemn Valdimir Putin for invading Ukraine. Everyone agrees that invading another country and killing innocent people is morally and legally wrong. Everyone is quick to warn China about invading Taiwan. I am Mahayana Buddhist and I’m from a family that supports an independent Tibet and decries the atrocities in Tibet.

However, while the most powerful nations are rightfully busy defending these oppressions, why do they turn a blind eye and even encourage it when it comes to Israel? The self-defense argument is so ridiculous that a comedian I know made the point in live roast that he could “Get a wife from Gaza and live the Indian stereotype of beating the shit out of her on a daily basis and he’d be defending himself.”

The Western World’s leaders need to change this. Blindly covering and trying impose a narrative that no one else believes in erodes the moral authority of the Western World (which for the record, I do believe remains a benevolent force). It’s not even good for Israel. Prior to these reprisals, Israel was making friends and allies amongst the Arab nations. Now, no Arab Ruller can be seen to be vaguely friendly to Israel. Take a recent conversation between UAE President, Mohammad bin Zayed, which made peace with Israel only four years ago and Israel Prime Minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, which involved the UAE President telling him to get stuffed:

 https://www.wionews.com/world/ask-zelensky-uae-president-gives-vexed-response-to-netanyahu-asking-for-aid-money-678506