Putin & Netanyahu Expose the USA's Double Standards

A double standard that sets us on a dangerous path of increasing international conflict and war

The hypocrisy and double standards in U.S. foreign policy are glaringly evident when comparing the American response to Russian President Vladimir Putin with its treatment of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Both leaders have been accused of grave human rights violations and war crimes, yet the United States' reactions to each are diametrically opposed. This double standard makes Americans less safe, the world less secure, and the U.S. less able to counter fascism and extremism anywhere. Let’s Address This.

Russian President Putin (L) & Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu (R). Credit: Getty

When the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin over the invasion of Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Ukrainian territory, the United States hailed the decision. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken encouraged all ICC member nations to arrest Putin if he set foot on their soil, even leading to reports that Putin skipped a trip to South Africa to avoid ICC arrest. This move was lauded as part of upholding the international rules-based order, reinforcing the idea that no one, not even world leaders, are above the law.

Yet when the same ICC considers arrest warrants for Netanyahu on charges of crimes against humanity, the U.S. takes a completely opposite stance. The United States has labeled such actions "outrageous" and not only refused to support the ICC's pursuit of justice but went so far as to invite Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. This stark contrast exposes the selective application of justice: the U.S. applauds the ICC when it suits its geopolitical interests but dismisses it when the accused leader is an ally, no matter the gravity of the allegations.

The double standard doesn't stop here. When Israel accused the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) of collaborating with Hamas, the U.S. government swiftly cut UNRWA's funding, without any substantive evidence to support Israel's claim. The suspension of aid will last until at least May 2025. However, when credible reports emerged that Israeli forces had collaborated with extremist settlers to block aid meant for starving civilians in Gaza—a clear war crime—the U.S. took no action. Despite Israel's involvement in denying humanitarian aid, which violates international law, the U.S. continues to fund the Israeli military’s bombing campaigns, exacerbating the suffering of Palestinians. In fact, as reported by ProPublica, it seems undeniable that Blinken knowingly lied to Congress about Israel blocking aid to starving Palestinians, in an attempt to continue to sell weapons to Netanyahu to further bomb Palestinians.

The disparity between U.S. responses to Russia and Israel is perhaps most glaring in how it handles civilian deaths in war. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which included indiscriminate bombing of civilian areas, the U.S. swiftly imposed financial sanctions, froze Russian assets, and called for international accountability. Russia's illegal annexation of Ukrainian land was met with divestment and international condemnation.

Conversely, despite Israel's repeated bombing of Palestinian civilians in designated safe zones—zones they were forced into by Israeli forces—the U.S. has taken no such measures against Israel. The United States not only continues to supply Israel with weapons but ignores its own Leahy Laws, which prohibit military aid to nations credibly accused of human rights violations. Even as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Israel to stop bombing Rafah, the U.S. did nothing but arm Netanyahu's regime further.

Moreover, instead of holding Israel accountable, more than 30 U.S. states have enacted anti-BDS laws (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions). These are laws that criminalize economic boycotts against Israel, effectively protecting the Netanyahu government from international censure. This is in stark contrast to the American response to Russia, where economic boycotts and sanctions were essential tools in the effort to hold Putin accountable.

This list of examples is far from exhaustive, but it underscores a critical point: the United States’ selective enforcement of international law and human rights standards reveals a troubling double standard. When it comes to Russia, the U.S. positions itself as a defender of global norms, pushing for sanctions, divestment, and justice. But when the accused is Israel, an American ally, those same norms are conveniently ignored or outright dismissed. This inconsistency not only undermines the credibility of U.S. foreign policy but also weakens the very international order the U.S. claims to champion. And while every single life is equally sacred and precious, the disparity in U.S. treatment of Russia vs Israel becomes even more stark when considering death tolls. Putin’s bombardment of Ukraine has killed more than 10,200 civilians including 575 children. Netanyahu’s bombardment of Gaza has killed, more than 40,000 civilians including more than 16,000 children—and according to The Lancet—the total devastation is conservatively 186,000 Palestinian civilians killed.

If the United States is truly committed to upholding a rules-based international order, it cannot apply justice selectively. War crimes and crimes against humanity must be condemned and punished regardless of the perpetrator’s identity or political alignment. To do otherwise is to abandon the principles of justice, human rights, and accountability that the U.S. claims to uphold on the world stage.

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