LAUGHING STOCK: Netizens roast EU for targeting Iran with sanctions

The European Union (EU) is being criticised by netizens from across the world after agreement on Wednesday to step up sanctions against Iran after Tehran’s missile and drone attack on Israel left world powers scrambling to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.

“It’s very important to do everything to isolate Iran,” European Council President Charles Michel said at a summit in Brussels, the first meeting of the EU’s 27 national leaders since Saturday’s attack more than six months into the war between Israel and Palestinian resistance group, Hamas in Gaza strip.

The bloc already has multiple sanctions in place against Iran, including for selling drones to Russia for use in its war against Ukraine.

The US has hinted it will impose new penalties in the coming days.

But the news as published by international media including Al Jazeera didn’t go down with many netizens as they criticize the European Union leaders, accusing them of double standard and hypocrisy.

Muslim News monitored reactions of some of the netizens in a story published by Al Jazeera on its Facebook page on Wednesday, April 17, with the title, “EU moving to expand sanctions on Iran after attack on Israel”.

A netizen, Essa Bargo however said, “I never understand this European Union. Israel strike Iranian consulate in Syria, they didn’t condemn that, neither sanctions them. But now that Iran retaliated with drones and missiles following Tehran’s unprecedented attack on Israel, they are shouting sanctions.”

According to another netizen, Barau Inuwa,

The EU are gradually becoming laughing stock. You failed to sanction genocides in Gaza, fails to condemn and sanctions attack on diplomatic facilities, which are the core requirements for maintaining global cooperation and stability.. But due to double standard and hypocrisy you are quick to sanction retaliation and self defense.

In his reaction, Suleiman Zaria said the world is living the highest level of impunity and hypocrisy, stressing, “No shame to condemn or sanction anybody for saying the truth or retaliation against negative Israel actions, but no sanctions on Israel for whatever crimes they committed.

Akor Abu described Western hypocrisy as “quite sickening”, saying, “Why didn’t the EU sanction Israel when she attacked the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Iran also has the right to self defense, Iran has been growing steadily under sanctions for decades. So sanctions won’t change anything.

Abdimalik Mohamed said, “EU hypocrisy didn’t condemn Israel when it attacked Iranian Embassy but defending it against Iran retaliation.”

“Quite predictable. In this way they are supporting Israel’ s attacks on the Iranian consulate that took place in Damascus! Israel is their spoilt child that can do anything without accountability. Gordon Musiige said in a comment posted on Al Jazeera Facebook page.

Qasim Niazi also joined other netizens to berate the western leaders.

He said, “On the other hand the EU’s illegal baby (Zionist regime) is unashamedly killing hundreds of innocent people, especially children and bombing hospitals etc, committed war crimes and broke all international laws …
But still no sanctions upon it.. shameful double standards and hypocrisy of western governments.”

“Iran didn’t kill a single human being, Israel killed Civilians, Western Aid workers, Journalists, UN workers, but no sanctions, this is the Rules based order they lecture the Global South about, laughable Tsietsi Motlhomi T-nifty said.

Alberto Alipon summed it up, saying, “The message is very simple: if you are an American ally, you are free to commit crimes without sanction and condemnation. But if you are against America, you are a threat to world peace and needs to be sanctioned! It’s the reality of our time.”

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