Moral Equivalence Between Hamas and Israel

These are uncertain times, and we are gathering for this year’s Leadership Dialogue at a pivotal moment. The events of October 7 last year have left a profound scar on the people of Israel and the broader Jewish community. So many innocent lives were lost and, almost a year on, families still suffer the enduring pain of having loved ones taken hostage. What should be a clear moment for global unity and condemnation of terrorism has instead seen a disturbing shift in focus. Rather than concentrating on dismantling Hamas — an organization whose ideology is rooted in hate and violence — the international community is increasingly putting pressure on Israel, its democratic government, and its right to self-defense.

The deeper question is what undercurrent must exist within Western society that blinds so many to the recognition of evil, allowing them to draw moral equivalence between a nation fighting to eradicate those who perpetrated the worst carnage since the Second World War and the terrorists who purposefully targeted civilians in the most vicious and barbaric way? How has such a distortion of morality taken root, and what does it reveal about an antisemitic undercurrent that has remained undetected for so long, only surfacing in this moment?

In Western societies, we have seen an alarming rise of leftist movements that paradoxically affiliate themselves with Islamist fascism while claiming to fight for justice and equality. These are the same groups that purport to champion the rights of women, the LGBTQ+ community, and human freedom, yet align themselves with ideologies that would destroy these very values. The feminist movements, for instance, stand in solidarity with Islamist groups that impose subjugation on Muslim women, claiming it is their “freedom of choice.” Similarly, LGBTQ+ activists — whose existence would be annihilated in Hamas-controlled societies — are demonstrating in favor of Hamas on the streets of cities such as Paris, London, Sydney and New York.

The profound irony is inescapable: The very people who would be among the first to suffer under Islamist extremism are the ones supporting it with the greatest fervor. This is not just hypocrisy; it is a tragic miscalculation of the true nature of the forces they are endorsing. How have we reached this point where moral clarity has been so distorted that movements founded on progressive ideals now actively support fascism disguised as religious or cultural resistance?

The profound irony is inescapable: The very people who would be among the first to suffer under Islamist extremism are the ones supporting it with the greatest fervor.

At the same time, we must look at the role of the United Nations in this moral deformity. Successive U.N. resolutions, driven by political bias, have unrelentingly chipped away at Israel’s legitimacy. These resolutions often ignore the root cause of the conflict — Islamist extremism — while disproportionately focusing on Israel’s defensive measures. The most recent resolution, passed just days ago, underscores the absurdity of this dynamic. It is a stark reminder that many countries are aligning themselves with forces that threaten not only Israel’s existence but their own national integrity.

The world today faces the scourge of Islamism — an ideology that is not merely a religious or cultural movement but a violent, expansionist doctrine that thrives on intolerance. Yet, instead of standing shoulder to shoulder with Israel in the fight against this dangerous ideology, a disturbing number of Western nations and leftist movements are turning their backs. They fail to realize that the same venomous forces targeting Israel today will inevitably target them tomorrow.

Israel has long been the frontline in the battle against extremist ideologies. Since its establishment in 1948, it has faced relentless threats to its existence. Each war, each attack, and each terror incident is a reminder of the precariousness of peace in the Middle East. And yet, Israel has always emerged stronger, driven by its commitment to democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law. In obvious contrast, groups such as Hamas represent the antithesis of these ideals, using terror as a tool to subjugate and destroy.

It is crucial to highlight the irony in the U.N.’s treatment of Israel. The General Assembly has become a forum where nations with abysmal human rights records—many ruled by autocratic or theocratic regimes—are emboldened to condemn Israel. This is a country that, despite facing persistent existential threats, has maintained a functioning democracy, provided equal rights to its Arab citizens, and strived for peace. The bias inherent in the U.N.’s actions undermines not only Israel but also the international order that it was created to uphold.

One of the most glaring examples of this absurdity is the pattern of resolutions that ignore the root cause of the conflict — Islamist extremism — while disproportionately focusing on Israel’s defensive measures. These resolutions embolden groups such as Hamas by providing them with a veneer of legitimacy under the guise of resistance. It is the height of hypocrisy to accuse Israel of overreach when it is defending itself against a group whose declared aim is to destroy it.

The countries that vote in favor of such resolutions must confront a fundamental truth: What path are they choosing for the future? Are they willing to support the forces of intolerance and hatred simply to appease a vocal minority, or will they stand up for the principles of freedom and democracy, as embodied by Israel? By siding with resolutions that undermine Israel’s right to defend itself, these nations are inadvertently legitimizing the very ideologies that threaten their own existence.

Albert Dadon is an Australian businessman, philanthropist and musician.