In a searing piece published in The Guardian, British journalist Owen Jones tore into the UK government’s selective outrage, exposing the double standards and moral bankruptcy of its foreign policy. His central claim:
“It wasn’t the genocide in Gaza that moved London — it was the diplomatic humiliation of its own.”
The Gaza Genocide Didn’t Move Whitehall — But This Did
Jones notes that British politicians stayed largely silent as:
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- Gaza’s infrastructure was flattened,
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- Thousands of children were killed,
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- Mass torture and sexual violence were reported,
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- And the Israeli siege pushed an entire population into famine.
The government’s response? A few lukewarm tweets from the Foreign Secretary, at best.
But when Israeli authorities barred Labour MPs Yuan Yang and Apsana Begum from entering the country and deported them — that finally sparked a strong statement from British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, calling the move “unacceptable, unhelpful, and deeply concerning.”
Speaking Truth = Deportation
According to Jones, Israel’s decision to deport the two MPs was driven by one thing:
They were expected to speak the truth about Israeli war crimes.
Israeli officials accused the MPs of planning to document misconduct by Israeli forces and “spread hatred” — a thinly veiled admission that even witnessing the occupation is a threat to Israel’s narrative.
Palestinian Lives Don’t Trigger British Rage
Jones contrasts this outcry with the lack of outrage when three British aid workers were killed by an Israeli airstrike, despite travelling in a convoy clearly marked with the World Central Kitchen (WCK) logo and coordinating their movement with the Israeli military.
“The British government didn’t bat an eye,” he writes.
Yet when two MPs were treated with less-than-VIP respect, the establishment reacted as if British sovereignty had been violated.
UK Still Facilitating War Crimes
The hypocrisy doesn’t stop at diplomatic theatrics. According to Jones:
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- The UK has only suspended 9% of arms export licenses to Israel,
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- It still supplies parts for Israeli F-35 fighter jets, the same jets used to bomb civilians in Gaza,
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- And the Royal Air Force has conducted over 500 surveillance flights over Gaza since December 2023 — without explanation.
Despite overwhelming evidence of war crimes, the UK refuses to label Israel’s actions as such. The government continues to operate as an enabler of Israeli aggression, even as international human rights groups document war crimes with mounting detail.
Offended Egos, Not Murdered Children
Jones mockingly describes the reaction in Parliament:
“MPs who never once flinched at child massacres in Gaza now shuffle around, asking the deported MPs, ‘Are you alright?’”
For him, this isn’t just a moment of irony — it’s a devastating indictment of a political class whose concern lies more with wounded pride than human lives.
Conclusion: This Time, They Won’t Get Away With It
Jones ends with a chilling warning to British politicians who have enabled genocide while feigning moral outrage only when their own comfort is disturbed:
“The problem is, these politicians believe they’ll get away with it.It’s our job to make sure they don’t.”We don’t run ads. We run on dua, dedication, and your support. Help us stay online
