The hunger games: How Hamas's starvation campaign exposes Western hypocrisy

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2 days ago

The disturbing ease with which Western nations embrace Hamas's lies stems from classical antisemitism resurging. This worsens due to a dangerous alliance between liberals and Islamist communities wielding electoral power in the West
Demonstrators hold torches, during a protest outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office to demand the immediate release of the hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, and the end of the war, in Jerusalem. Reuters
Hamas's propaganda against Israel resonates widely in the Western world, not out of moral compassion for perceived victims, but because classical antisemitism still pulses beneath the surface—and since October 7, it increasingly bubbles above it.
Hamas's 'starvation' campaign and accusations of Israeli genocide represent a direct continuation of one of history's most notorious antisemitic documents: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion. Like that conspiratorial text claiming Jews sought world domination, today's lie alleges Israel commits genocide against Palestinians. As then, the falsehood spreads like wildfire, now through digital platforms.
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In recent weeks, the world watched with concern as images of three allegedly starving Gazan children dominated international headlines, further cementing the false narrative of Israeli genocide in Gaza. In reality, these children—who became symbols of supposed 'genocide'—suffered from genetic diseases, not starvation. Moreover, one of them received medical treatment in Italy with Israeli coordination, another was treated in an Israeli hospital, and in the third widely circulated photo, the sick child appears in the arms of his healthy mother.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu delivered statements to the media, dedicating significant time to refuting Hamas and the international community's claims about hunger and starvation in Gaza. However, this move—important as it is for Israeli public diplomacy—remains a case of too little, too late. The facts, as the Prime Minister accurately presented them, no longer interest anyone.
Meanwhile, the only intentional starvation occurring in Gaza is what Hamas inflicts on Israeli hostages. The shocking images of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky, which Hamas itself released to pressure Israel, clearly show who is deliberately starving whom. In one video, viewers can even see the healthy, full hand of the terrorist offering Evyatar a can of food. Yet even when the world saw this documentation, it chose to equate the hostages' condition with Gaza's humanitarian situation.
Regarding the existing hardship in Gaza, context matters. This is the result of a war forced upon Israel. Nevertheless, while fighting, Israel provides extensive humanitarian aid—thousands of trucks, airdrops, and food distribution stations through the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) to ensure aid reaches civilians, not Hamas. Yet Hamas itself violently hijacks food convoys, threatens Gazans who cooperate, and insists aid flow through the UN to preserve its control.
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The disturbing ease with which Western nations embrace Hamas's lies stems from classical antisemitism resurging. This worsens due to a dangerous alliance between progressive liberal elements and Islamist communities wielding electoral power in the West. Countries like France, Britain, Canada, and Australia are prepared to make a historic error by recognising a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September—effectively rewarding Hamas for the October 7 atrocities. Despite the facts, it remains convenient to blame the Jewish state.
This propaganda's consequences manifest beyond the political domain. Militarily, entrenched false narratives constrain IDF operations and encourage weapons embargoes against Israel, distancing Israel from achieving war objectives while draining resources toward missions that divert attention from defeating Hamas. This demonisation of Jews has a direct impact on the safety of Jews worldwide. Indeed, we witness a sharp increase in antisemitic violence, including murders.
Some argue Israel's battle for global consciousness is doomed against 1.5 billion Muslims. I argue that the Muslim population isn't the problem—parts of it support Israel, as proven by the Abraham Accords and relations with Azerbaijan, for example. The real issue is classical antisemitism resurging in Western society, adopting false narratives.
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International organisations under UN auspices strengthen Hamas's lies through pseudo-academic reports based on data provided by Hamas, echoing their messages. As we witness, these don't stop at public opinion-shaping but lead to concrete actions against Israel: embargoes and recognition of a Palestinian state.
Even when some recognition announcements specify Hamas must disarm and won't be part of Palestinian leadership, this move effectively rewards Hamas for the October 7 horrors and is expected to strengthen its position among Palestinians—not only in Gaza but also in Judea and Samaria at the Palestinian Authority's expense.
We must, therefore, continue fighting for the truth. The Jewish people are indigenous to the Land of Israel, and Israel's existence represents Jewish restoration after the Holocaust and exile—victory over Christian and Muslim colonialism in the Land of Israel. This battle isn't just against Hamas in Gaza; it's tied to our obligation as Jews to say, 'Never Again'.
Joseph Rozen is a distinguished expert in International Relations, Asian affairs, and National Security. He is Senior Fellow at Misgav Institute for National Security, an Israeli think tank based in Jerusalem. He previously served as the Director of APAC and Euro-Asia Affairs at the Israeli National Security Council. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the uthor. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
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