Europe 'Decries' Settlements While Sending Checks, Again
Fourteen countries, including various European Union members and Canada, have publicly condemned Israel's latest plan for illegal West Bank settlements, reiterating their 'resolute support' for Palestinians. This ritualistic 'decrying' arrives just as these very nations continue to engage in robust trade and diplomatic ties with Netanyahu’s government. Remember that time in 2017? Or 2014? Or every
other year since 1967? It seems 'resolute support' looks a lot like 'consistently ineffective finger-wagging' while the land disappears block by block. One might ask how many more strongly-worded statements the international community needs before recognizing that empty words don't deter bulldozers. While Europe and Canada express deep concern, the actual consequences for Israel's government
remain non-existent. Perhaps if their 'decrying' led to, say, actual sanctions, or a halt in weapons sales, the message might land a little differently. Until then, these 'condemnations' feel less like diplomacy and more like an annual subscription to a very predictable newsletter.