Europe's response to the recent conflict between Israel and Iran has raised eyebrows. When Israeli jets hit Iran, killing many civilians and military leaders, Europe didn't condemn the attack. Instead, they backed Israel and criticized Iran for defending its own land. This is a classic case of double standards.

France's president, Emmanuel Macron, kicked things off by criticizing Iran's nuclear program and supporting Israel's "right to defend itself. " The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, echoed these sentiments, adding some vague calls for restraint. Germany went even further, condemning Iran for an attack that hadn't even happened yet, while fully supporting Israel's actions.

This isn't just about poor judgment. It's the result of years of Europe's flawed diplomacy, which has helped create this mess. Europe talks about a "rules-based order, " but its actions show something different. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Europe was clear: no force against a country's borders. But when Israel attacked Iran, Europe basically said, "That's okay. "

This hypocrisy hasn't gone unnoticed. Mohamed ElBaradei, a Nobel laureate, called out Germany for supporting Israel's strikes, which are against international law. Francesca Albanese, a U. N. expert, pointed out that Europe seems to think only Israel has the right to defend itself.

Europe's stance is even more puzzling given its role in the Middle East crisis. When the U. S. pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal, Europe didn't do much to keep it alive. Instead, it let the deal die, creating a vacuum for conflict. Then, just before Israel's strike, Europe pushed for a U. N. resolution against Iran, making the situation even tenser.

This behavior has made Europe look weak and unreliable. Iran's foreign minister rejected Britain's calls for de-escalation, seeing Europe as part of the problem. Europe's actions could lead to more problems, like a regional war, increased terrorism, and energy crises. It's a mess that could have been avoided with better diplomacy.

Europe needs to rethink its approach. It can't keep playing favorites and expect others to trust it. The world is watching, and Europe's double standards are clear for all to see. It's time for Europe to step up and act fairly, or risk losing what little credibility it has left.

EUROPEAN POLITICS AND IRAN

Europe's Double Standards: A Look at Iran and Israel

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