Moral Abdication

Western governments and elites have enabled the destruction of Gaza, silencing both Palestinians and those who stand in solidarity with them.

In this detailed account of the first six months of the Israeli army’s actions following the October 7 attacks, Didier Fassin draws on a wide array of international sources to analyze how Western powers have not only accepted, but often actively contributed to the devastation of Gaza—its homes, infrastructure, hospitals, educational institutions, and civilian lives. To justify this support and prevent criticism, they have promoted an official narrative aligning with Israeli accounts of events. Mainstream media widely adopted this version, disregarding Palestinian experiences and perspectives. Dissenting voices were suppressed, and a policing of language and thought became the norm. Calling for a ceasefire or advocating for the enforcement of humanitarian law was met with accusations of antisemitism.

Fassin explores the profound inequality between the two sides of the conflict, delving into the geopolitical, economic, and ideological forces that shape it. He aims to document this moral failure, believing that the abandonment of values and principles that Western elites once claimed to uphold will leave a lasting scar on global history.