Russian diplomacy leverages Gaza conflict for moral high ground: Analysis

The European Union and the United States are facing criticism from international relations and law experts who argue that their condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine is weakened by their own handling of the war in Gaza. The Israeli siege and subsequent raid of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza have raised concerns about violations of international humanitarian law. This raises questions about the moral high ground of Western allies in the Ukraine conflict and complicates efforts to hold Russia accountable for its alleged war crimes.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been investigating and documenting suspected war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, including torture, rape, and summary executions. In March, the ICC indicted Russian President Vladimir Putin and his commissioner for children’s rights for allegedly ordering the abduction of Ukrainian children. However, the ICC’s jurisdiction and the support for its prosecutions are called into question due to the US and UK’s stance on the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israel and Palestine.

The US and UK align with Israel’s view that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over Israeli crimes committed in Palestine. This contradicts their support for the ICC’s jurisdiction over Russian crimes in Ukraine. This inconsistency in their position is opposed by several Muslim-majority nations and countries in the Global South. These countries have requested an investigation into and prosecution of suspected crimes in Gaza.

The differing views of the Global South on Russia’s actions have further implications for Ukraine’s efforts to establish a special court to try Russia for its war of aggression. To gain legitimacy and support for this court, Ukraine needs the support of non-aligned/Global South countries. However, after the Gaza conflict and the US’s support for Israel, it is unlikely that these countries will support Ukraine’s efforts.

Russia has been using the moral and legal ambiguities created by the Israeli counterattack on Hamas in its favor. Russia refused to endorse a US-sponsored United Nations Security Council resolution condemning the Hamas attack. Russia’s narrative is that while terrorists should be punished, it is not fair to blame the entire nation or bomb Gaza for the actions of an Islamist group. Russia’s position potentially weakens the rules-based international order that Western states claim to uphold.

In conclusion, the handling of the war in Gaza has undermined the moral high ground of Western allies in the Ukraine conflict. The US and UK’s stance on the ICC’s jurisdiction over Israel and Palestine contradicts their support for prosecuting Russian crimes in Ukraine. The differing views of Muslim-majority nations and countries in the Global South on Russia’s actions further complicate efforts to hold Russia accountable. Russia has capitalized on the moral and legal ambiguities created by the Gaza conflict, presenting itself as a peacemaker and criticizing the US’s Middle East policy. This potentially weakens the rules-based international order and highlights accusations of double standards within it.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/20/russian-diplomacy-leverages-israel-hamas-war-for-moral-high-ground