The UN’s double standard toward Israel exposes its moral bankruptcy - opinion
Israel has a duty to expose the double standard practiced by the leaders of UN member states and to denounce a system that gives a political majority permission to stigmatize one country.
The United Nations, intended to address global tragedies like war, genocide, poverty, and ignorance, demonstrates a double standard when dealing with Israel. Rather than applying equal moral standards to all nations, the UN appears determined to "save the world from the Jewish state." This moral inconsistency is highlighted by an updated UN database listing 214 companies involved in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which could be leveraged for boycott campaigns. While these companies are not being condemned as criminals, their presence fuels conflict.
The UN Human Rights Council's exclusive focus on Israel and the Palestinian territories, as seen in item 7 of its agenda, further underscores this imbalance. In September 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution demanding Israel's withdrawal from the territories within a year. However, this resolution's legitimacy is called into question due to the permanent seats and veto power held by countries like Russia and China, known for their human rights abuses.
The UN's history of double standards is evident in past resolutions, such as Resolution 3379 from 1975, which labeled Zionism as racism until it was revoked in 1991. Despite this, the temptation to deny the Jewish people their national rights through international votes persists. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address saw representatives of countries guilty of war crimes and genocide walk out in protest, showcasing the organization's two-faced nature.
French President Emmanuel Macron's appeal to Muslim citizens using the recognition of a Palestinian state as a diplomatic breakthrough is criticized for being superficial and failing to address the underlying issue of security. Macron should consider who would prevent a terrorist organization from taking control of this proposed state. The Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, faces challenges with Hamas operating as a terrorist organization within its territory.
Criticism of Israel extends to Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who lectures Israel while ignoring his country's history of the Inquisition and the expulsion of Jews. Starmer's criticism of Israel's war against Hamas is questioned, given Britain's own colonial past and its treatment of Jewish immigrants during World War II.
Norway's data reveals that some immigrant groups are disproportionately represented among criminal suspects, but this does not justify condemning all immigrants. Similarly, Britain's colonial history should encourage self-criticism and humility before lecturing others.
In music, public broadcasters in several European countries boycotted the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel's participation, despite the genre's potential to connect people. This boycott represents a national barrier rather than a genuine effort for reconciliation or peace. The Netherlands' restrictions on products from Israeli settlements entering the country, even in personal luggage, raises concerns about the fairness of such punitive measures.
Qatar's continued mediator status, despite hosting Hamas leadership, and Iran's support of terrorist organizations while promoting justice, exemplify the UN's selective morality. Saudi Arabia, a victim of Iranian-backed aggression, should recognize that condemning Israel is not a solution to regional threats. In Africa, the consequences of the international system's failures continue to unfold.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
