Why the Global South Sees Double Standards in Western Approaches to Gaza and Ukraine

The Global South, a term encompassing developing nations primarily in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania, represents countries often marginalized in global governance due to socioeconomic challenges like lower incomes and higher poverty rates. These nations have increasingly criticized Western responses to international conflicts, particularly the contrasting approaches to the Gaza-Israel conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war. The perception of “double standards” arises from the West’s robust support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, juxtaposed with its backing of Israel amid significant Palestinian civilian casualties in Gaza.

Background on the Conflicts

Gaza-Israel Conflict

The Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory, has been a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since Israel’s establishment in 1948, which led to the displacement of many Palestinians (Britannica). Since 2007, Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade following Hamas’s election, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU. The conflict escalated significantly on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack killing 1,139 Israelis, prompting Israel’s retaliatory military operations.

As of February 2025, the Gaza Health Ministry reports 62,614 Palestinian deaths, with 70% being women and children, and 14,222 others presumed dead under rubble (Al Jazeera). Over two-thirds of Gaza’s buildings have been damaged or destroyed, exacerbating humanitarian crises. The United Nations and organizations like Amnesty International have raised concerns about potential war crimes and genocide, citing Israel’s actions as deliberately inflicting conditions to destroy Palestinians (Amnesty International).

Western countries, particularly the United States, have provided substantial military aid to Israel. Since World War II, the US has given Israel over $317.9 billion (inflation-adjusted), with $3.3 billion in 2022 alone, 99.7% for military purposes (USAFacts). Since October 2023, the US has allocated $17.9 billion in military aid, including bombs and fighter jets, with additional packages like a $4 billion aid in 2025 under the Trump administration (Associated Press). Other Western nations, such as Germany and the UK, also provide political and military support, though some have faced domestic criticism for this stance.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2014 with Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine. The full-scale invasion in February 2022 escalated the conflict, leading to thousands of civilian deaths and widespread destruction. The United Nations estimates around 10,000 civilian deaths and 18,500 injuries in Ukraine by November 2023 (Anadolu Ajansı).

Western countries have rallied behind Ukraine, providing over $380 billion in aid since 2022, including $118 billion in direct military aid (Wikipedia). The US alone contributed over $67 billion by June 2024, with Europe providing €132 billion (Statista). In 2025, additional pledges, such as a $2 billion package from Western allies, were announced (The Guardian). This aid includes weapons, financial support, and humanitarian assistance, framed as defending a sovereign democracy against Russian aggression. Western leaders have consistently condemned Russia for war crimes and violations of international law.

Comparison of Western Responses

Perceived Double Standards in the Global South

The Global South perceives Western responses to Gaza and Ukraine as inconsistent, undermining the credibility of the “rules-based international order.” Several factors contribute to this perception:

1. Selective Application of International Law:

   • In Ukraine, Western nations champion international law, condemning Russia’s violation of sovereignty and civilian attacks. The US and EU have supported UN resolutions against Russia and imposed sanctions.

   • In Gaza, the West, particularly the US, has been less vocal about Israel’s actions, despite reports of potential war crimes. The US vetoed a UN Security Council resolution for a humanitarian pause in Gaza in October 2023, prompting criticism from African and Arab diplomats who argued that “Ukrainian lives are more valuable than Palestinian ones” (TIME).

2. Support for Aggressor vs. Victim:

   • In Ukraine, the West supports the victim (Ukraine) against the aggressor (Russia), providing arms to bolster its defense.

   • In Gaza, the West supports Israel, which many in the Global South view as the aggressor due to the high Palestinian civilian toll and the ongoing occupation. This contrast fuels accusations of hypocrisy (openDemocracy).

3. Humanitarian Focus:

   • Western media and leaders highlight civilian suffering in Ukraine, rallying global support for humanitarian aid.

   • In Gaza, the West’s focus on Israel’s right to self-defense often overshadows the humanitarian crisis, with over 62,000 deaths and widespread destruction. This selective outrage is seen as prioritizing geopolitical allies over universal human rights (The New York Times).

4. Geopolitical Interests:

   • The West’s support for Israel aligns with strategic interests, including countering Iran and maintaining influence in the Middle East. In contrast, supporting Ukraine aligns with countering Russia and securing Europe.

   • The Global South, often sidelined in these geopolitical calculations, feels that Western policies prioritize strategic alliances over justice, as noted by Brazilian professor Oliver Stuenkel (EL PAÍS).

These inconsistencies have led to a collapse of confidence in Western-led global governance, with many in the Global South questioning the universality of human rights principles (ODI).

Muslim World’s Perspective on “Palestinian Genocide”

The Muslim world, particularly in the Middle East and broader Islamic communities, accuses Western countries of supporting a “Palestinian genocide” due to their military and political backing of Israel. This perspective is rooted in historical and contemporary factors:

1. Historical Grievances:

   • The establishment of Israel in 1948, supported by Western powers through the Balfour Declaration of 1917, is seen as a colonial imposition that displaced Palestinians (Middle East Eye). This historical context frames Israel as a Western outpost in the Arab world.

   • Past events, such as the 1982 Sabra and Shatila massacre, where Israeli forces were complicit in the killing of Palestinian civilians, reinforce perceptions of Western-enabled violence (Wikipedia).

2. Scale of Current Violence:

   • The Gaza conflict since October 2023 has resulted in unprecedented civilian casualties, with Amnesty International concluding that Israel’s actions meet the criteria for genocide under the 1948 Genocide Convention (Amnesty International). The targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, amplifies this perception.

   • The Muslim world points to the high proportion of civilian deaths (70% women and children) as evidence of deliberate destruction.

3. Western Arms Supplies:

   • The US has provided Israel with advanced weaponry, including $3 billion in bombs and warheads in 2025 (Wikipedia). These arms are used in operations causing significant civilian harm, leading to accusations of complicity.

   • Other Western nations, like Germany, have rejected genocide allegations and supported Israel legally, further fueling resentment (Global Affairs).

4. Political Support:

   • Western vetoes of UN resolutions critical of Israel, such as the US veto in October 2023, are seen as shielding Israel from accountability (TIME).

   • In contrast, Western leaders have been vocal in condemning Russian war crimes, highlighting a perceived bias.

5. Cultural and Religious Lens:

   • Some in the Muslim world view the conflict as a continuation of historical “crusades” by the Christian West against Islam, with Israel as a proxy (Frontline). This narrative, while not universal, resonates in religious communities.

This perspective is not monolithic, as some Muslim individuals and clerics support Israel’s right to exist (Wikipedia). However, the dominant view in the Muslim world, especially among Arab nations, is one of solidarity with Palestinians, amplified by South-South solidarity (ODI).

Implications for Global Relations

The perceived double standards have significant implications:

1. Erosion of Western Credibility:

   • The Global South’s distrust in Western-led institutions, such as the UN Security Council, grows as vetoes protect allies like Israel while condemning adversaries like Russia (Foreign Policy).

   • This fuels interest in alternative frameworks, such as China’s Global South initiatives or BRICS alliances.

2. Strengthening South-South Solidarity:

   • Countries like South Africa, which filed a genocide case against Israel at the ICJ, and others like Mexico and Nicaragua, express solidarity with Palestinians, reflecting a broader Global South alignment (Wikipedia).

3. Domestic Backlash in the West:

   • Public opinion in Western countries is shifting, with polls showing 53% of Americans holding unfavorable views of Israel in 2025 (Wikipedia). This suggests growing domestic pressure to reassess policies.

4. Geopolitical Realignment:

   • The Global South’s frustration may push countries toward non-Western powers like China and Russia, complicating Western efforts to build global coalitions (The New York Times).

Conclusion

The Global South’s perception of double standards in Western approaches to Gaza and Ukraine stems from contrasting policies: robust support for Ukraine against Russia versus military and political backing for Israel amid Palestinian suffering. The Muslim world’s accusation of Western complicity in a “Palestinian genocide” is fueled by arms supplies and political support that enable Israel’s actions, which some label as genocidal. This inconsistency undermines the West’s moral authority, eroding trust in the rules-based international order. Addressing these perceptions requires a more consistent application of human rights principles, acknowledging the complexities of both conflicts, and engaging with the Global South’s concerns to foster a more equitable global framework.

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