Mahathir slams European 'hypocrisy' over war on Gaza
"I used to think of the Europeans as the pioneers of human rights. Now I know they are hypocrites. I have lost any respect I had for them," Dr Mahathir said on X.
ANKARA - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on Tuesday slammed Europe for its "hypocrisy" over raging Israeli aggression in Gaza, calling it "outrageous," Anadolu Agency reported.
"I used to think of the Europeans as the pioneers of human rights. Now I know they are hypocrites. I have lost any respect I had for them," Dr Mahathir said on X, referring to the destruction caused by continued Israeli bombings.
"Basically they are supporting Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinians," he added.
Referring to Israeli bombardment of Gaza and the killing of nearly 43,400 Palestinians since Oct 7 (2023), he said the cities and towns in Gaza have been razed to the ground.
"Even refugee camps of flimsy tents have been rocketed and bombed. The refugees were killed. The survivors flee. But there is no safe place for them," Dr Mahathir said.
He added that he has never seen such atrocities as being inflicted in the "so-called civilized world.”
"It is mind boggling. It lacks any sign of human feelings.”
"What is outrageous is that the Western TV channels show "almost nothing of the genocide” of Palestinians, he further said, adding: "It is as if it is not happening.”
Hailing Doha-based Al-Jazeera news channel for its extensive coverage of the genocide in Gaza, the 99-year-old ex-Malaysian leader said: "Since Al Jazeera TV Channel is not watched by white Europeans and Americans, they must believe that nothing is happening to the people of Gaza."
"They actually believe that the Israeli attacks are meant to achieve security for the state of Israel. And they support the Israeli war against the Palestinians," he maintained.
The Israeli army laid a siege in northern Gaza last month, claiming it is trying to stop Palestinian resistance group Hamas from regrouping. Palestinians, however, accuse Israel of seeking to occupy the area and forcibly displace its residents.
More than 1,800 people have been killed since then, according to Palestinian health authorities. Food and other aid are severely limited.
Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the blockaded enclave. - BERNAMA
