Normalising Crimes Against Humanity- Trump on Gaza Overtake

Younus M Bhatt; Aamir Afzal Magray ✉ 

Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter," serve as a stark reminder that silence in the face of injustice is not merely an absence of action but an erosion of moral responsibility. When those with the power to oppose wrongdoing choose instead to remain passive, they become complicit in its perpetuation.

Israel has killed more than 45,400 people in Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack by Hamas, reducing the enclave to rubble. credit: https://www.aa.com.tr

The world has now arrived at such a moment. U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest incendiary proposal—an idea so audacious and politically reckless that it should have elicited universal condemnation—has been met with a muted response. His suggestion that the United States should "take over" the Gaza Strip and forcibly relocate its Palestinian residents is not just a brazen affront to human rights but a direct violation of international law and the fundamental principles of sovereignty. And yet, world leaders and institutions, who claim to stand for these very values, have responded with hesitation and half-measures.

King’s warning is not merely about personal morality—it is a call to collective conscience. When governments and global institutions fail to take a resolute stand against such blatant transgressions, they do not just betray the oppressed; they undermine the very foundations of justice. If silence prevails now, it will not only embolden further violations but mark a turning point in history where indifference triumphs over principle. The question is no longer whether Trump’s proposal is acceptable—it is whether the world will summon the courage to say that it is not.

While some international actors have issued statements of concern, their reactions have been scattered, failing to present a unified and strong opposition to an idea that, under any democratic standard, would be considered unacceptable. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned any form of forced displacement, warning that it amounted to ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law. However, beyond these condemnations, no concrete actions have been taken—no resolutions, sanctions, or diplomatic consequences have followed. This has become a recurring pattern in international diplomacy, where moral warnings replace tangible enforcement, allowing violations of global norms to persist unchecked.

 

Diplomatic Caution and Strategic Interests

The muted response from key Middle Eastern nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan, reflects the delicate balance they must strike between opposing a policy that threatens Palestinian sovereignty and maintaining strong diplomatic and economic ties with Washington. While these nations have publicly rejected Trump’s proposal, their words have not translated into actions such as diplomatic escalations or economic countermeasures. Their reluctance to take stronger steps highlights the wider global trend of prioritising national interests over human rights and international justice.

Europe, often regarded as a staunch defender of international law, has also failed to respond with the urgency the situation demands. The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution, and France and Germany have expressed concerns over unilateral U.S. actions that undermine peace efforts. However, their measured responses and lack of concrete diplomatic pressure suggest an unwillingness to challenge Washington too directly. This hesitancy reflects Europe’s broader strategic dilemma: maintaining strong transatlantic relations while trying to uphold human rights standards. The reluctance to impose consequences—such as trade restrictions, political censure, or increased engagement in Palestinian state-building—demonstrates the limits of Europe’s commitment to human rights when faced with the potential cost of straining ties with the United States.

Israel's Global Footprint

PM Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court as per the latest developments, November 21, 2024. However, Israel's policies have far-reaching consequences, influencing other nations to adopt detrimental policies. For instance, Israel's continued settlement expansion in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has led to widespread international condemnation, yet some countries like the United States have adopted policies supporting Israel's actions. Similarly, Israel's blockade of Gaza has led to a humanitarian crisis, with countries like Egypt collaborating to maintain the blockade. Israel's counter-terrorism strategies, including targeted killings and collective punishment, have also been adopted by other countries, such as the United States.

Specific examples illustrate the impact of Israeli policy on global politics. In 2020, US President Donald Trump's administration announced plans to annex parts of the West Bank, widely condemned as ethnic cleansing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's presence at the announcement highlighted Israel's influence on US policy. Additionally, the US recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital in 2017 sparked international outrage and was seen as a significant shift in US policy, influenced by Israel's lobbying efforts.

International institutions play a crucial role in holding individuals accountable for crimes against humanity. In 2020, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in the West Bank and Gaza. The International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank was illegal under international law.

The power dynamics at play reveal how Israel's relationships with other nations, particularly powerful ones, can lead to the adoption of policies that harm human existence. The close relationship between the US and Israel has led to significant US financial and military aid to Israel, maintaining its occupation of Palestinian territories. Israel's lobbying efforts in the US and other countries have also influenced policy decisions, often to the detriment of Palestinian rights.

 

Media and Institutional Stasis

The failure to generate widespread outrage over Trump’s proposal also reflects media priorities. Unlike other major international crises, this issue has not dominated global headlines. Instead, it has been largely dismissed as political theatre rather than a serious policy threat. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict often receives less sustained media attention than other geopolitical issues, particularly those with more direct implications for Western security and economic interests. As a result, the global public remains under-informed about the severity of Trump’s remarks, limiting the kind of grassroots activism and political pressure that could compel governments to act.

Beyond media narratives, the paralysis of multilateral institutions has further enabled the lack of decisive action. The United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and other international bodies are meant to enforce global norms, yet their ability to hold powerful nations accountable remains weak. The U.S., with its veto power at the UN Security Council, can block any resolution against its policies, while the ICC is often constrained in prosecuting world leaders from powerful states. This systemic failure has created an environment where even the most extreme violations of international law can be proposed without serious consequences.

 

The Dangerous Precedent of Inaction

Failing to mount a strong, unified response to Trump’s Gaza proposal does more than undermine Palestinian rights—it sets a dangerous precedent for international diplomacy. If world leaders fail to condemn this proposal with full force, they risk normalising discussions of ethnic cleansing and forced displacement. History has shown that once radical ideas, if left unchallenged, can gradually become policy. The failure to draw a firm line now may embolden other leaders to pursue aggressive territorial expansion and population transfers under the guise of national interest.

The humanitarian consequences of such a policy would be catastrophic. Gaza is already facing severe humanitarian conditions, and any forced displacement of its residents would create one of the largest refugee crises in modern history. Countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt—already struggling with refugee populations—would face additional destabilisation. This, in turn, could fuel extremism and increase regional insecurity, with repercussions that extend far beyond the Middle East.

Furthermore, the credibility of Western democracies, particularly those that champion human rights, is at stake. How can nations such as the U.S., the UK, and France demand accountability from authoritarian regimes when they fail to challenge rhetoric that directly contradicts the values they claim to uphold? The inconsistency in global responses to human rights violations only serves to weaken the legitimacy of democratic nations and embolden authoritarian actors worldwide.

 

The clock is ticking.

The world cannot afford to dismiss Trump’s proposal as mere political posturing. The failure to respond decisively not only threatens Palestinian lives but also weakens the entire framework of international governance. Every nation that remains silent today is complicit in paving the way for future violations of human dignity and sovereignty.

The current proposal presents a fundamental challenge to the principles of human rights and international law that global leaders purport to champion. Mere expressions of concern or cautious diplomatic manoeuvring are demonstrably inadequate in the face of such a grave threat. The time for passive pronouncements has passed. A robust and unified response is now imperative.

Governments must move beyond rhetoric and issue clear, unequivocal condemnations of this proposal. These pronouncements must be substantiated by concrete diplomatic actions, demonstrating a firm commitment to the established norms of international conduct. This includes, but is not limited to, the potential for targeted sanctions, the suspension of bilateral agreements, and coordinated efforts within international bodies. The message must be unambiguous: forced displacement, under any pretext, constitutes a gross violation of fundamental human rights and will not be tolerated.

 

End note

A collective and decisive rejection of this abhorrent concept is not simply a matter of moral imperative; it is a critical necessity for safeguarding the integrity of the international legal framework. Failure to act decisively will embolden those who seek to undermine the established principles of humanitarian protection and create a dangerous precedent for future atrocities. The potential consequences of inaction are catastrophic, risking widespread human suffering and destabilizing already fragile geopolitical landscapes. Global leaders must recognize the gravity of this moment and act with the resolve and unity required to avert a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented scale.

 

The authors are research scholars at Pondicherry University (A Central University).

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