Arab States and the Gaza Genocide
In a world where diplomacy is often dictated by dollars and defense deals, the principle of Islamic unity has become little more than a hollow slogan. Recent events in the Middle East, especially the posture of powerful Arab states in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza, have exposed a stark reality: national interest has eclipsed religious duty. While thousands of Palestinians perish under indiscriminate bombings and illegal occupation, many Muslim-majority countries have chosen to stay tight-lipped — not out of ignorance, but out of convenience. In fact, some are going a step further, forging deeper ties with the very architects of the Palestinian people’s suffering.
This shift is not entirely surprising, as national interest is often described as cold and emotionless — and in this context, that aphorism rings painfully true. In the corridors of power, where self-preservation is paramount, morality takes a backseat and religion becomes a mere footnote in foreign policy playbooks.
Consider, for instance, Saudi Arabia — the cradle of Islam, the guardian of the Two Holy Mosques, and a nation that has long projected itself as the defender of Muslim values worldwide. Despite its central religious stature, Saudi Arabia recently signed investment deals worth 600 billion dollars with the United States. In return, Washington agreed to a 142 billion dollar arms package with the Kingdom, along with the possible easing of sanctions on Syria. This grand gesture, wrapped in diplomatic niceties, sends a disturbing message: as long as economic dividends are flowing, silence on Palestine is a price worth paying.
Similarly, Qatar — a state that hosts some of the most vocal Islamic scholars and positions itself as a supporter of the Palestinian cause — also seems to be playing both sides of the fence. Recently, it signed a massive 200 billion dollar AI technology deal with the U.S. and welcomed American leaders with fanfare more befitting a Western liberal democracy than a nation rooted in Islamic identity. The double standard is unmistakable: religious symbolism at home, secular pragmatism abroad.
This is not a case of isolated decisions. From Bahrain to Morocco, and from Egypt to Jordan, a deafening silence hangs over the Arab world — a silence that speaks volumes. With the notable exception of Iran, most Muslim-majority countries are walking on eggshells around U.S. foreign policy, careful not to jeopardize their strategic alliances or risk being on the receiving end of economic sanctions.
This silence is not just politically troubling; it is morally indefensible. While Islamic texts are replete with injunctions about standing up for the oppressed and confronting tyranny, today’s Muslim leaders seem to have turned a blind eye to both. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us: “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or oppressed.” When asked how one could help an oppressor, he replied, “By stopping him from oppressing others.”
Yet in the current political climate, these teachings appear to have been swept under the rug. Instead of helping the oppressed, some Muslim states are rubbing shoulders with the oppressor. Instead of condemning the actions of the Zionist regime and its backers, they are breaking bread with them and pursuing long-term strategic partnerships.
The devastation in Gaza underscores the gravity of the moral crisis. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 53,500 Palestinians have been martyred — most of them women and children. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, hospitals bombed, and schools turned into mass graves. In any moral universe, such atrocities would trigger global outrage. But the Arab response has been lukewarm at best and complicit at worst.
At the heart of the matter lies a sobering truth: Muslim states fear the wrath of the West more than they fear the judgment of God. The United States remains the undisputed powerbroker in the Middle East. Any nation that dares to oppose its policies — especially in relation to Israel — risks being cast aside, cut off from financial aid, arms supplies, and diplomatic favors. In such an environment, cowardice is disguised as caution, and silence masquerades as strategy.
However, this approach is not just cowardly — it is dangerously short-sighted. By allowing national interest to override religious and ethical considerations, Muslim leaders are digging their own political graves. Today it is Palestine. Tomorrow it could be another Muslim nation — abandoned, betrayed, and left to fend for itself in a world where loyalty is purely transactional.
Islam, on the other hand, demands more than silence or selective morality. It calls for universal justice, regardless of the consequences. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whosoever among you sees a wrongdoing, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. And if he cannot do even that, then with his heart — and that is the weakest level of faith.”
Yet today, Muslim leaders have failed on all three fronts. They are not acting, not speaking, and — perhaps most alarmingly — not even feeling. Islam demands that we stand with the oppressed in all circumstances. The global Muslim community, however, seems paralyzed — unable even to raise symbolic protest. This is more than inaction; it is betrayal. A betrayal not only of the Palestinian people but of Islamic values and teachings.
Nevertheless, redemption is still possible — though it requires more than rhetoric. Muslim countries must unite. They must breathe life into dormant institutions like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) or establish a new, robust alliance capable of decisive action. Mere lip service or hollow resolutions will no longer suffice. The Muslim world must present a united front — diplomatically, economically, and morally — to deter aggression against any member of the ummah.
If Muslim states act in solidarity, the global political dynamics could shift overnight. The West would no longer find it easy to bully or bribe nations into silence. Before targeting a Muslim nation, they would be compelled to pause and consider the repercussions.
To achieve this, however, a revolution of conscience is required — a return to core Islamic principles and a reordering of national priorities. National interest must not come at the expense of human life, dignity, and faith.
The tragedy unfolding in Palestine is not solely the result of Israeli aggression. It is also the consequence of Muslim apathy, strategic silence, and diplomatic cowardice. When those entrusted with the defense of Islam choose profit over principle, the entire ummah pays the price.
It is time the Muslim world asks itself: Are we Muslims in policy, or just in name? If our faith cannot guide our actions in times of crisis, then what purpose does it serve?
The road ahead is difficult but not impossible. Unity, courage, and faith can still chart a new course — one where no oppressor is spared condemnation, and no oppressed soul is left unheard. But for that to happen, the Muslim world must wake up — before the next tragedy unfolds in silence.
The views and opinions expressed in this article/paper are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The Spine Times.
Noor Alam
The author is a student of Law at the University of Okara.
