Holding his own in the great game of hypocrisy by Dennis Ignatius

 20 May 2024

https://dennisignatius.com/2024/05/20/holding-his-own-in-the-great-game-of-hypocrisy/


5] Hypocrisy is not in short supply elsewhere in the Middle East either. Arab and Muslim leaders hold big conferences, talk about Muslim brotherhood and condemn the slaughter of Palestinians but it’s all just talk. For all their bombast, they’ve done very little to stop the carnage. Student protestors in America have done more to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people than many of these Islamic nations.

[6] The fact is not a few Arab governments are all working quietly with Israel to frustrate Palestinian independence because they need Israel (and the US) to counter Iran – their ancient enemy. Indeed, there is now an informal regional military coalition that includes both Saudi Arabia and Israel. But, of course, few will call out Saudi Arabia for its duplicity on the issue.

[7] But we don’t have to go too far to see hypocrisy in full flower; our actor can match any Western leader when it comes to the great game of hypocrisy. Convinced that his own credentials are unimpeachable, that M----a itself is a paragon of virtue, he has taken to preaching to the rest of the world and calling them out for their double standards.

[8] In Doha recently to attend the Qatar Economic forum, he was in his element talking down to the rest of the world in defence of Gaza.  He explained that as the leader of a multicultural nation, he felt compelled to defend the rights of minorities everywhere. He said, “I don’t feel comfortable if I hear of a Christian or Hindu feeling discriminated.” With not a little chutzpah, he even appeared to hint that Western leaders should perhaps emulate his approach.

[9] No doubt, many M-----ns would have shaken their heads in utter disbelief because they, of course, experience a different reality – pervasive and deeply-ingrained institutionalised discrimination that has long marginalized minorities. One publicly funded university, for example, welcomes foreign students (and even offers some of them financial assistance) but closes its doors to M-----a’s own minorities.

[10] Perhaps there’s some comfort to be had knowing that M-----a can hold its own on the world stage in the great game of hypocrisy.

[Dennis Ignatius | Kuala Lumpur | 20th May 2024]

 

My Comments:

We must not forget the foolishness part. And the unbridled incompetence. 

The Arabs may be hypocrites but they have made peace with Israel to their great profit and benefit. 

A trade deal was signed in 2022 between Israel and the UAE. 
In 2023 Israel-UAE trade grew 17% to reach US$2.95 billion.
Israel's trade with Arab countries up 16% in 2023
5 Apr 2024 — Israel's trade with Arab countries up 16% in 2023
Trade between Israel and the seven Arab countries that have normalised relations with the Jewish state broke records in 2023, exceeding $4 billion, up 16% from 2022, according to a report.

So their hypocrisy generates business, trade and investment.

Our clown exhibits hypocrisy but without generating any business, trade or investment. That is a very big difference.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of  MMKtT.