Double standards are nothing new in international relations. However, 2024 has set a historic record in this regard. Israel ends the year by killing 19 civilians, including 5 journalists, in Gaza, where three newborns have died of cold in just 48 hours. Instead of discussing sanctions against Netanyahu’s criminal government, the debate continues over whether its actions amount to genocide or “only” war crimes and crimes against humanity—treating the latter as if they were trivial matters. For 15 months, daily announcements of ceasefires have promised resolution for “tomorrow,” perpetuating a tragic farce crafted by the media to placate public opinion. International diplomacy calls for negotiations among the Israeli government, Hamas, Hezbollah, and their backers in the U.S., Iran, and Qatar. Yet, those attempting to negotiate with Russia face condemnation and sabotage.
A “terrorist” is someone who deliberately targets civilians, but only if they are our enemy. Allies are free to kill civilians, as are former enemies-turned-allies, such as ex-al-Qaeda and ex-ISIS jihadists in Syria. Similarly, “democracy”—rule by the people—has become an empty word. If the people don’t vote for those we support, elections are annulled (Romania), postponed indefinitely (Ukraine), or ignored by treating losers as winners and vice versa (Georgia). Sometimes results are overturned through political scheming (France).
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man with conflicts of interest everywhere, was a genius and benefactor (like the “good Samaritan” Soros) when backing Democrats. Now, supporting Trump, he is public enemy number one. Trump was a coup plotter for denying Biden’s victory and inciting his cronies, but Georgia’s defeated president, now doing the same, is hailed as a champion of democracy. Trump is vilified for seeking to pardon himself and his allies; Biden is praised for pardoning his son, Hunter. Biden also commutes sentences for 37 death row inmates “to save them from Trump,” despite these convictions occurring under his administration. In 2020, Biden pledged to abolish the federal death penalty but never followed through.
Capital punishment, however, is celebrated when Kyiv executes a Russian general without trial, blowing him up in Moscow. The EU, meanwhile, laments four submarine cables allegedly cut by Russian ships in the Baltic Sea while continuing to arm and fund Ukraine—despite its suspected sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines and harboring suspects wanted by German prosecutors. Back in 2019, Ukraine, led by the comedian Zelensky, was Europe’s only state run by a comic. Today, it’s in good company.
Il Fatto Quotidiano, December 27, 2024
