Queen Rania of Jordan criticizes Western leaders for their failure to condemn civilian deaths in Gaza due to Israeli bombardment. In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, she expresses disappointment with the world’s reaction to the crisis, highlighting a “glaring double standard” in the response to Israeli attacks compared to earlier incidents. Queen Rania argues that the silence from the international community is deafening and makes the Western world complicit in the suffering of the Palestinian people. She questions the inconsistency in condemning killing of families but remaining silent about shelling attacks.
The article also explains that Israel initiated a “complete siege” on Gaza following the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas. The siege has resulted in relentless airstrikes and a blockade on vital supplies to the densely populated area. The death toll from Israeli strikes has risen to over 5,000, including more than 2,000 children. The United Nations and aid agencies are calling for a ceasefire and the free movement of humanitarian aid to address the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Arab leaders, including Jordan, Egypt, and the Palestinian Authority, have expressed frustration with the perceived unwillingness of the US to curb Israel’s actions. This has led to the withdrawal of those countries from a planned summit with US President Joe Biden. The US, a close ally of Israel, has continued to support Israel’s right to defend itself and has rejected calls for a ceasefire. In a UN Security Council meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken acknowledged the humanitarian disaster in Gaza but avoided using the term “ceasefire.” The US vetoed a Security Council proposal for a humanitarian pause, citing the resolution’s failure to mention Israel’s right to self-defense.
The article also mentions that Israel is accused of committing crimes against humanity by nine independent experts working with the UN. The experts argue that the blockade on Gaza and other actions violate international and criminal law. Former Israeli hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin highlights the need for a change in leadership on both sides and calls for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories.
There are fears that the conflict could escalate and spill into neighboring countries, as Israel urges civilians in northern Gaza to relocate south ahead of a potential ground operation. The Norwegian Refugee Council has condemned this move, stating that it amounts to a war crime. Jordanian and Egyptian leaders are concerned that millions of Palestinians could be displaced into their countries, potentially leading to war.
Queen Rania emphasizes that Palestinians should not face the choice between expulsion or extermination. She highlights the history of displacement and occupation faced by Palestinians and argues that the story goes beyond the recent attacks by Hamas, involving decades of overwhelming death, displacement, and apartheid-like conditions for Palestinians.
The article concludes by noting the ongoing pro-Palestine protests in Jordan and the high tensions between Palestinians and Israelis even before the recent war with Hamas.