West's silence on Israeli war crimes: An atrocity of double standards
The New York Times report, based on interviews with more than 100 soldiers and officials, revealed a significant loosening of warfare rules by the Israeli military. This has resulted in a surge of devastating attacks on Gaza, with Israeli officers now permitted to endanger up to 20 civilians in Gaza for the potential capture or elimination of a low-level fighter. The report further highlighted the use of AI tools in selecting targets, contributing to what the NYT describes as "one of the deadliest bombardments of the 21st century."
Dr. Barghouti emphasized that these actions are not a recent revelation but have been evident from the beginning of the conflict, which began in October 2023 following a Hamas attack on Israel. He pointed out that the destruction of four towns in Gaza, with an estimated 55,000 people killed, including 70% women and children, are clear indicators of the brutal nature of the Israeli offensive.
Who is Dr. Mustafa Barghouti?
- Dr. Mustafa Barghouti was born in 1944 in Nablus, the West Bank.
- He is a medical doctor with a specialization in internal medicine and public health.
- Barghouti played a significant role in the first Palestinian intifada (1987-1993) as a leader of the Health Committee, providing medical aid to Palestinians injured in the conflict.
- In 2002, Barghouti founded the Palestinian National Initiative (Mubadara), a political party that promotes non-violent resistance and a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- The party gained prominence in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, winning 4 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council.
- Barghouti has been involved in various peace efforts and negotiations. He has participated in numerous international conferences and dialogues on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
- He ran for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority in 2005, finishing second to Mahmoud Abbas.
- Barghouti has been a vocal critic of the Palestinian Authority, particularly its collaboration with Israel.
- He has called for a new intifada (uprising), but emphasizes that it should be non-violent and focused on civil resistance.
- In 2021, Barghouti was arrested during protests against the Israeli military operation in Sheikh Jarrah, highlighting his role in ongoing demonstrations and civil disobedience.
Dr. Barghouti laments slow international response to Israel’s war crimes
Dr. Barghouti is particularly indignant about the slow global response to these war crimes. "What Israel is doing is nothing but slaughter of the civilian population of Gaza," Dr. Barghouti stated. "And it took the world 14 months to discover that." He went on to detail the most recent attack on the last remaining hospital in northern Gaza, which led to the arrest of medical personnel and the killing of 50 people.
According to Dr. Barghouti, the ability of Israel to continue such aggressive military actions is fundamentally linked to support from Western governments, particularly the United States. "The US is providing Israel with every possible military arsenal," he said, adding that European governments are also complicit in the support they continue to offer.
Dr. Barghouti’s assertion is not without substance. In recent years, the US has provided Israel with billions of dollars in military aid, making it one of the largest recipients of US foreign aid. Furthermore, European governments, despite increasing criticism from their own populations, continue to provide diplomatic backing and economic support, effectively enabling Israel's military actions.
The Palestinian leader’s most recent comments touch on a broader critique of international law and the selective application of double standards. "Why do they have double standards when it comes to Israel? Why Israel is allowed to be above the international law?" Dr. Barghouti asked, challenging the international community's seeming tolerance of Israel's actions when they violate humanitarian laws.
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