We’ve reached a tipping point in Western political leaders’ reaction to Israel’s genocidal assault on Palestinians in Gaza. It’s maddening for two reasons: how long it took to get an official response from Western capitals; and how decidedly ineffectual their responses are.

The nightmare in Gaza has been unfolding for 22 months—and Israel’s savage use of violence and punishment of innocent Palestinians has been unrelenting the entire time. Early on, Israel’s genocidal intent became clear as they demolished hospitals, universities, and entire neighbourhoods using 2000-pound bombs; forced hundreds of thousands to flee their neighborhoods and homes; cut off electricity and water and blockedthe entry of food and medical supplies.

All this was known in 2023, and yet no action was taken. Back then, when we called for a ceasefire, the US Secretary of State told me a ceasefire would be deplorable and the US wouldn’t support it. In mid-2024, only the US opposed two ceasefire resolutions in the United Nations Security Council. A third attempt at a ceasefire resolution introduced by the US passed but was never acted upon. President Biden disingenuously said Israel had agreed to this resolution, knowing they had not. The entire effort was simply a public relations stunt.

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