The European Union has long positioned itself as a defender of human rights, democracy, and justice. Yet, when it comes to real-world actions, a glaring double standard emerges—especially regarding the ongoing atrocities in Gaza. Over 100,000 Palestinians, the majority of them children, have been killed in the Israeli military operations. This is, by every definition, genocide. And yet, the EU has refrained from labeling the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) as a terrorist organization or taking meaningful action to hold Israel accountable.
In contrast, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, which has not committed a genocide, is classified as a terrorist army. This selective condemnation exposes a troubling inconsistency in the EU’s moral and political framework. It raises fundamental questions: where is the morality, integrity, and humanity that the EU claims to uphold? How can democracy exist when it selectively applies principles depending on political convenience?
Even more striking is the contrast with domestic situations. While Palestinians suffer in Gaza, EU institutions rarely act decisively. Meanwhile, in Italy, for instance, government officials have publicly labeled protesters—those peacefully opposing environmentally harmful projects, such as the hosting of the Winter Olympics—as “enemies.” This rhetoric, if unchecked, risks escalating to repression or worse, showing that when it comes to dissent, the EU tolerates selective freedoms: protest is acceptable only in certain contexts, but in others—particularly outside Europe—it becomes a liability.
This hypocrisy is not just political; it’s human. Civilians in Gaza are being killed, their homes destroyed, and their lives uprooted, yet the EU largely remains silent. On the other hand, Iran, which suppresses protests internally, receives swift condemnation. This double standard is a moral failure. It reveals that political alliances, economic interests, and strategic convenience often outweigh justice, accountability, and human life.
It is imperative that the EU reflect on its policies and act consistently. Democracy and human rights cannot be applied selectively. The Palestinian people deserve recognition of their suffering, the right to their own state within the 1967 borders, and genuine international support to hold perpetrators accountable. Until then, the EU’s claim to moral leadership remains hollow, and its so-called commitment to democracy rings painfully hollow in the face of genocide.
