Dawn Article – A dangerous moment

Summary

In his address at the UN General Assembly, President Joe Biden drew a clear contrast between his stance on Ukraine and the Middle East. While he emphasized defending Ukraine against Russian aggression, he applied different principles when discussing Israel and Palestine. Biden presented Israel as a victim, giving little attention to the plight of the Palestinians, despite Israel’s ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The U.S. has played a significant role in supporting Israel by vetoing UN ceasefire resolutions and providing over $12 billion in military aid. This has allowed Israel to continue its actions in Gaza and Lebanon, pushing the region towards a broader conflict. The article criticizes Western nations for their double standards, condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine while ignoring Israel’s violations in Gaza. Iran, despite provocations, has shown restraint, but tensions remain high in the region. 

NOTES:

·         Double Standards in Foreign Policy: The article criticizes President Biden and Western nations for their differing approaches to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The U.S. strongly supports Ukraine but turns a blind eye to Israeli actions in Gaza.

·         U.S. Role in Middle East: The U.S. has vetoed several UN ceasefire resolutions and provided Israel with over $12 billion in military aid, helping Israel continue its military offensive against Palestinians.

·         Regional Tensions: Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank have heightened tensions in the Middle East. The possibility of a full-scale regional war looms large.

·         Iran’s Response: Iran has exercised restraint despite Israeli provocations, including the assassination of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah. However, further escalation could lead to Iranian involvement in the conflict.

Notes for Beginners with Examples:

·         Double Standards in Foreign Policy: When a country treats similar situations differently, it’s called “double standards.” For example, the U.S. supports Ukraine when it’s attacked by Russia but ignores the suffering of Palestinians when Israel attacks Gaza.

·         U.S. Role in Middle East: The U.S. is a powerful country that influences decisions at the UN. It has used its veto power to block attempts for a ceasefire in Gaza, allowing Israel to continue its attacks. This is like when a referee in a game favors one team over the other, not allowing the game to stop for the other team to recover.

·         Escalation of Conflict: The situation in the Middle East has gotten worse because Israel continues to attack. Imagine a small fight between two people, but more and more people join in, and it becomes a bigger fight. This is what’s happening in Gaza and the region.

·         Iran’s Restraint: Although Israel has attacked Iran’s allies, Iran has chosen not to respond aggressively yet. It’s like when someone is provoked but chooses to stay calm instead of fighting back immediately.

  Facts and Figures

1. US Military Aid to Israel: The United States has provided over $12 billion in military aid to Israel. This support has enabled Israel to continue its military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
2. UN Resolutions: The U.S. has vetoed multiple UN ceasefire resolutions, preventing international efforts to halt Israeli military offensives in Gaza.
3. Military Offensive: The ongoing military operations by Israel in Gaza have resulted in significant civilian casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis, but specific casualty figures are not provided in the article.
4. Iran’s Response: Despite provocations from Israel, including military actions against groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, Iran has shown restraint, indicating a complex regional dynamic.
5. Double Standards in Policy: The article highlights a perceived inconsistency in Western foreign policy, where strong condemnation of Russian aggression in Ukraine contrasts with a lack of response to Israeli actions in Gaza.

Syllabus Relevancy

This article is relevant to the CSS/PMS syllabus in the following areas:

1. Current Affairs:
   1. Understanding U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East and its global implications.
   2. The ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict and its impact on international relationsz
2. International Relations:
   1. Analyzing the role of the UN, U.S. foreign policy, and international law in conflict resolution.
   2. The double standards in global politics regarding human rights violations and military interventions.
3. Pakistan Affairs:
   1. Pakistan’s stance on the Palestine issue and its foreign policy in relation to the Middle East.
   2. The broader Muslim world’s response to Western policies towards Israel and Palestine.
4. Political Science:
   1. The article offers insights into U.S. domestic politics influencing foreign policy decisions, especially during election years.
5. Essay Writing:  Useful for topics related to international law, human rights, global conflicts, and the role of superpowers in modern geopolitics.

1.

To wrap up, the article underscores the glaring double standards in Western foreign policy, particularly the U.S., which supports Ukraine’s defense while turning a blind eye to Israel’s aggression against Palestinians. This inconsistency not only deepens the humanitarian crisis in Gaza but also threatens to push the Middle East toward a broader regional conflict. The failure to apply the same principles of justice and international law universally continues to erode trust and exacerbate global tensions.

Additional gift:

Quotes on the Israel-Palestine Conflict:

1. Desmond Tutu:
   1. “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
2. Jimmy Carter:
   1. “We can’t be the only nation in the world that is not willing to take on the injustices of apartheid in Palestine.”
3. Hanan Ashrawi:
   1. “It’s time to end the occupation and recognize the rights of the Palestinian people.”
4. Barack Obama:
   1. “The United States is a strong supporter of Israel, but that support cannot be unconditional.”
5. Yasser Arafat:
   1. “I come bearing an olive branch in one hand and a freedom fighter’s gun in the other. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand.”

خلاصہ

اقوام متحدہ کی جنرل اسمبلی میں اپنے خطاب کے دوران، صدر جو بائیڈن نے یوکرین اور مشرق وسطیٰ کے بارے میں اپنے موقف میں واضح فرق پیش کیا۔ انہوں نے یوکرین کی روسی جارحیت کے خلاف دفاع کی اہمیت پر زور دیا، مگر اسرائیل اور فلسطین کے معاملے میں مختلف اصول اپنائے۔ بائیڈن نے اسرائیل کو متاثرہ ملک کے طور پر پیش کیا، حالانکہ غزہ میں اسرائیل کی جاری فوجی کارروائیوں کے حوالے سے فلسطینیوں کی مشکلات پر زیادہ توجہ نہیں دی۔ امریکہ نے اسرائیل کی بھرپور حمایت کی ہے، جس میں اقوام متحدہ کی جنگ بندی کی قراردادوں کو ویٹو کرنا اور 12 بلین ڈالر سے زیادہ کی فوجی امداد شامل ہے، جس نے اسرائیل کو غزہ اور لبنان میں اپنی کارروائیاں جاری رکھنے کی اجازت دی ہے۔ مضمون مغربی ممالک کی دوہری پالیسی پر تنقید کرتا ہے، جو یوکرین میں روس کے اقدامات کی مذمت کرتے ہیں، لیکن غزہ میں اسرائیل کی خلاف ورزیوں پر خاموش رہتے ہیں۔ ایران نے اشتعال انگیزیوں کے باوجود ضبط کا مظاہرہ کیا ہے، مگر خطے میں تناؤ بڑھا ہوا ہے۔

Difficult Words with Meanings, Synonyms, and AntonymsW