China's Gaza ceasefire call reveals the West's hypocrisy

Editor's note: Adriel Kasonta, a special commentator for CGTN, is a London-based foreign affairs analyst and commentator. He is the founder of AK Consultancy and former chairman of the International Affairs Committee at Bow Group, the oldest conservative think tank in the UK. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

In the heart of Gaza's Rafah, a human tragedy of epic proportions is about to unfold. It will be witnessed not only by the eyes of those on the ground but broadcast live across social media platforms.

Palestine, it is fair to say, stands as the most significant test for the international community's failure of our times, where the cries of the oppressed echo amidst the rubble of destroyed homes and shattered lives. The scenes of suffering streamed in real-time paint a grim picture of indiscriminate violence and unimaginable loss.

As the international spotlight focuses on the suffering of the people of Gaza, a stark double standard emerges in Western governments' approach to Israel's brazen violations of human rights. At the same time, the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and schools, by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and blocking humanitarian aid to Palestinians by ordinary Israeli citizens seems 
to go unnoticed.

Mainstream media's subtle linguistic choices when reporting on Palestinian casualties caused by Israeli soldiers often serve to dehumanize the victims. The use of terms like "minors" instead of "children" seems calculated to downplay the gravity of the situation and soften the impact on the international community's conscience.

This semantic manipulation isn't merely about semantics; it's about shifting narratives and perpetuating an unjust status quo. By framing these tragedies in a way that downplays the innocence and humanity of the victims, media outlets implicitly justify the disproportionate use of force by the occupying power.

Nevertheless, the West's complicity in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine goes way beyond that. It also, most importantly, manifests in fueling the cycle of violence that perpetuates the suffering of innocent civilians in the form of weapon supplies to Israel, the withholding of funds to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and a calculated policy of starvation that places Palestinians at acute risk of famine.

The numbers tell a grim tale: the Gaza death toll surpasses 28,000. Yet, as the world watches in horror, the U.S. Senate's approval of a staggering $95 billion aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan region raises eyebrows. This move reflects Washington's misplaced priorities and profound disdain for human life. It proves that geopolitical gamesmanship and the pursuit of hegemonic interests precede the values of human dignity and justice they eagerly preach to other nations.

As the Gaza death toll climbs and the suffering of the Palestinian people intensifies, the West's actions – or lack thereof – serve as a painful reminder of the urgent need for a reevaluation of global moral priorities. The international community must move beyond geopolitical games and prioritize the sanctity of human life, regardless of where it is being threatened, recognize the urgency of the situation and hold Israel accountable for its actions.

In this tragic saga, Beijing's call for an immediate cessation of military operations is a step in the right direction, as it sends a powerful message that universal values of human dignity are not mere rhetoric but principles worth fighting for. This is also the right moment for China to assert its leadership on the world stage and demonstrate that the sanctity of human life is not a Western monopoly, that universal values of human dignity are not mere rhetoric and that all human life, irrespective of geographical location or political alignment, is equally sacred.

China's call for humanity in Gaza serves as a poignant reminder that the world cannot afford to be silent spectators to the suffering of non-Western nations. It is a call to action, urging the global community to reevaluate its commitment to universal values and human dignity. The time for change is now, and as the world watches, it must decide whether to be complicit in the face of injustice or stand on the side of humanity.

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