Why the world seems to "stand by" in the case of Palestine

1. Israel’s Strategic Importance to the West

Israel is not just an ally — it’s a linchpin for Western influence in the Middle East. The U.S., in particular, sees Israel as:

• A stable democracy in a volatile region • A military and intelligence powerhouse (sharing cutting-edge tech and surveillance data) • A counterbalance to Iran

Because of this, Western governments (especially the U.S., UK, and Germany) often frame their support for Israel as non-negotiable, even when Israeli actions draw global condemnation.

2. Military-Industrial Ties

Billions of dollars flow in arms deals and defence cooperation. The U.S. alone provides Israel with over $3 billion annually in military aid. Criticising or cutting ties risks:

• Economic fallout for defence contractors • Political backlash from pro-Israel lobbies • Losing influence in the region

So, even when there's clear evidence of disproportionate violence, many governments choose diplomatic language over decisive action.

3. Fear of Losing Leverage

Some countries argue that maintaining ties with Israel allows them to "influence from within." They worry that:

• Openly condemning or sanctioning Israel might harden its stance • They’ll lose any say in peace negotiations (however theoretical those seem)

But this "seat at the table" approach often looks like enabling, not influencing.

4. Double Standards and Media Framing

Let’s be real: if the same level of suffering seen in Gaza were happening in a Western country, the global response would be swift and furious. Palestinians are often:

• Dehumanised or reduced to statistics • Framed through a "terrorism-first" lens • Spoken about only in terms of how they relate to Israel's security

This allows for massive civilian death tolls to be normalised — or worse, justified — in public discourse.

5. Geopolitical Paralysis at the UN

Any meaningful resolution is often vetoed in the UN Security Council, usually by the U.S. This creates a sense of impotence in international law, where rules seem to apply to some countries, but not others.

6. The Fear of Being Called Antisemitic

There is a very real — and often weaponised — fear among politicians, celebrities, and even NGOs that criticising the actions of the Israeli government will be conflated with antisemitism. This silences voices or forces them to water down statements, even when they’re speaking about clear violations of human rights.

The Result?

We end up with: • Empty condemnations • No ceasefire • No accountability • A humanitarian catastrophe that plays out in real time while the world watches