Menneskerettighedsorganisationen Human Rights Watch' vice-programdirektør Tom Porteous kritiserer i en skarp kommentar USA og de fleste europæiske lande for dobbeltmoral i spørgsmålet om menneskerettigheder. Mens de ganske korrekt har kritiseret Rusland for dets krigsforbrydelser i Ukraine, er de stort set tavse, når det kommer til Israels krigsforbrydelser i Gaza. Porteous skriver:

.. the reaction from Washington and – with a few exceptions – from European capitals to Israel’s actions in Gaza since October 7 has been muted.
Where is the clear condemnation of the cruel tightening of the 16-year closure of Gaza that amounts to collective punishment, a war crime?
Where is the outrage at statements by Israeli political leaders that seek to blur the all-important distinction between civilians and combatants in Gaza even as they order ever more intense bombardment of this densely populated territory, reducing city blocks and neighborhoods to rubble?
Where are the clear and unequivocal calls for Israel to respect international norms in its attack on Gaza, let alone for accountability?

The hypocrisy and double standards of Western states are flagrant and obvious. They risk undermining years of painstaking work by humanitarian and human rights groups, along with some states, to strengthen and standardize norms designed to protect civilians caught up in conflicts around the world.

USA og Europa har demonstreret for resten af verden, at deres moralske kompas er pilråddent.