On December 8, 2023, the United States exercised its veto power in the United Nations Security Council, rejecting a call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza. This action marked the 37th time since 1945 that the United States, as one of the five permanent members of the UNSC, employed its veto authority in matters related to Israel-Palestine. Out of these 37 instances, 35 vetoes were attributed to the United States, while Russia and China vetoed two each.
The majority of these vetoed resolutions aimed to establish a framework for peace in the protracted Israel-Palestine conflict. They often called on Israel to adhere to international laws, supported Palestinian self-determination and statehood, or condemned Israeli actions such as the displacement of Palestinians and settlement activities in occupied Palestinian territories. This history of repeated vetoes by the United States has led to the perception that diplomatic efforts to achieve peace in this longstanding conflict have become exceedingly challenging to pursue.
The gradual and consistent support extended by Western countries, particularly the United States and EU nations, to Israel’s actions in Gaza has brought to light a concerning double standard in their approach to international conflicts. This support, often perceived as unequivocal, has raised questions about the principles of justice, proportionality, and human rights that underpin Western foreign policy. The consequences of this support have been starkly evident, with innocent Palestinian civilians bearing the brunt of the violence and suffering in the region.
Furthermore, the ongoing occupation of sovereign Palestinian territories by Israel has been viewed by many as a flagrant violation of international law, a monstrosity that persists despite global calls for its resolution. Such occupation not only exacerbates the humanitarian crisis but also undermines the pursuit of a just and lasting peace in the region.
Recent statements, such as the one where former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alluded to the possibility of nuclear annihilation, only serve to heighten tensions and deepen the sense of insecurity among Palestinians. Such rhetoric underscores the urgent need for responsible diplomacy and the international community’s commitment to a peaceful resolution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
Debates within Eastern societies have given rise to questions regarding the application of morality in their dealings with non-Western countries. Many individuals argue that the concept of morality is rooted in the East, largely because major religions, often considered the custodians of moral principles, originated in this region. Morality, in this context, is seen as a social mechanism for defence, varying across different societies and cultures. The expectation is that if the West genuinely aspires to create a free and just world, as they frequently proclaim from a moral standpoint, their actions and words should align. However, recent instances of Western countries supporting what are perceived as heinous war crimes by Israel in the 21st century have prompted concerns. In response to other countries questioning their support for Israel, Western nations have resorted to threats of sanctions, raising further questions about the consistency of their commitment to universal principles of justice and morality.
The former Malaysian Prime Minister, Mr. Mahathir Mohammad, has been forthright in expressing his views on the Gaza situation. He has openly criticised US President Joe Biden for attributing the missile attack on a Gaza hospital, which led to over 500 casualties, to Hamas. He dismissed Biden’s claim as utterly absurd and questioned the ambiguity surrounding the origin of the blast at the Al-Ahli Arab hospital, which he believes was due to an Israeli airstrike.
Mr. Mahathir also took issue with the narrative presented to Biden by the Pentagon and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He pointed out that the Pentagon and other American institutions have previously misled the public about the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. He said that the US is openly endorsing the terrorist actions of Israel and granting permission for the genocide of Muslims in Gaza.
The ongoing crisis in Palestine and the broader Arab world can be traced back to the gradual repercussions of the Ottoman Empire’s fall into British hands. This complex narrative finds its roots before the First World War and has continued to shape the region up to the present day. The crux of the matter lies in the political and strategic failures of Arab nations in the face of British colonialism and later the neo-colonial strategies of the U.S.-led Western powers. Over the years, various political doctrines and movements have been employed in the Middle East to break free from external influence, but many of these efforts have faltered.
Recent events have witnessed the demise of both moderate and extremist forms of Islamism in the Middle East, often at the hands of Western forces. This has led to a significant erosion of unity within the Arab world, creating vulnerabilities that invite foreign interference. The region’s rulers, often the owners of oil fields and descendants of ancestors who toiled in the desert, often prioritise their own comfort over broader geopolitical considerations. As a result, oil has come to dictate their politics more than religion or fraternity.
In light of these critical shortcomings within the Arab world, the West has found opportunities to exploit the situation. Meanwhile, the common Arab populace is often swayed by the cultural and religious mystique of the Middle East, rendering them less inclined to engage in government overthrow, a concept that may feel foreign to their historical and cultural context. This intricate web of historical, political, and socio-economic factors continues to shape the complex dynamics of the region.
In the quest for lasting peace and the liberation of the Arab world from the shadows of colonialism and neocolonialism, there’s a growing call for a Pan-Arab fraternity movement that transcends both Western ideologies such as communism and liberalism as well as religious ideologies like Islamism. Instead, this movement would be rooted in the fundamental principles of Arab culture and brotherhood, emphasising Arab unity rather than religious affiliations. Such a pan-Arab fraternity movement, by its very nature, would defy the divisive boundaries of religion and country, offering a unique opportunity to free the Arab world from the enduring legacies of unjust colonial policies and ongoing neocolonialism.
Recent developments in the region underscore the urgency of this call for a pan-Arab fraternity movement. The Arab world continues to grapple with complex geopolitical challenges, often exacerbated by external influences. While there have been instances of attempts to unite Arab nations and peoples, they have often fallen short due to internal divisions and the imposition of foreign ideologies. To address these issues effectively, it is imperative to foster a sense of shared identity and purpose that transcends sectarian and national boundaries, and this can be achieved through a pan-Arab fraternity movement.
By focusing on Arab unity based on cultural ties and shared history rather than religious or ideological affiliations, this movement has the potential to create a powerful force for change in the region. It can offer a path towards political, economic, and social empowerment that is driven by the collective aspirations of the Arab people themselves rather than dictated by external powers. In doing so, it can work to break the chains of neo-colonialism that have plagued the Arab world and secure it from the so-called veto powers.
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Written by Rajeev Ahmed
Geopolitical Analyst, Strategic Thinker and Editor at geopolits.com