International reaction to Gaza siege has exposed the growing rift between the West and the Global South
But the numbers tell only half the story; equally significant was the way the votes fell.
- But the numbers tell only half the story; equally significant was the way the votes fell.
- Those voting against the resolution included the United States and four members of the European Union.
- Meanwhile, about 45 members abstained – including 15 members of the EU, plus the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Japan.
- But they have been joined by the leaders of Brazil, South Africa and other Global South nations in taking a firm stand.
- While the U.S. has used the word genocide in relation to Russia’s action in Ukraine, the Biden administration has pointedly said the term doesn’t apply to current events in Gaza.
The Global South’s coming of age
- The growing influence of China and the fallout of the war in Ukraine – in which many Global South countries have remained neutral – has upended international relations.
- And 2023 has been the year that has seen the coming of age of this more assertive Global South.
- In August, Johannesburg hosted a summit of the BRICS group – a bloc that consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – during which 21 countries from across the Global South applied to join.
- In contrast, the Group of Seven leading economies, or G7, represents less than 10% of the world’s population and 30% of the global economy.
- The question is, can the BRICS+ – and more generally the Global South – do likewise given that it includes an array of countries with very different political and economic systems?
Latin America’s pushback
- Historically, many African and Asian nations have tended to support the Palestinian cause – Indonesia does not even recognize the state of Israel.
- But perhaps more surprising has been the strong reaction in Latin America to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Western denialism
- The voting patterns of Western representatives at the U.N. suggest the answer is “no.” In turn, this only adds to the general discontent across the developing world with the current structure of the U.N. Security Council and its lack of representativeness.
- The fact that no country from Africa or Latin America is among the permanent members that enjoy veto power – compared with Western Europe, which is represented by both France and the U.K. – has long been a source of irritation in the Global South.
- Western commentators and analysts from think tanks in London and Washington even contend that the very term “Global South” should not be used – with much of the criticism against the term directed at its alleged imprecision, but also because it would contribute to greater international polarization.
- And no amount of Western denialism will be able to block it.
Jorge Heine does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.