History often draws lines between alliances and enemies. During World War II, Adolf Hitler’s coalition was known as the “Axis” powers, standing as enemies to the Allies. In the modern Middle East, Iran and its proxies refer to themselves as the “Axis of Resistance” against Israel. They have a singular aim of the destruction of the world’s only Jewish state.
Today, a new and troubling grouping has emerged, an “Axis of Hypocrites.”
This coalition of backstabbers includes influential Western leaders who publicly affirm their support for Israel but whose actions, particularly their plans to recognise a Palestinian state, betray just that. Among them are the UK’s Kier Starmer, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Australia’s Anthony Albanese, and Canada’s Mark Carney.
These leaders claim to stand with Israel and defend its right to self defence against terrorism. They claim that Hamas, the terrorist organisation responsible for October 7 and the continued war in Gaza, must be defeated and should play no role in a future Palestinian state. And, that their first priority is the release of the hostages from Hamas captivity.
Emmanuel Macron proclaimed: “The first objective we should have today is the release of all hostages.”
Kier Starmer declared: “There is no scenario where Hamas can be allowed to control Gaza or any part of the Palestinian territories.”
Mark Carney was equally clear: “We reiterate that Hamas must immediately release all hostages… that Hamas must disarm; and that Hamas must play no role in the future governance of Palestine.”
Anthony Albanese echoed this sentiment: “We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of Hamas for the atrocities of October 7 and ongoing acts of terror. Hamas must lay down its arms and release all hostages. We see no role for Hamas in the future governance of Gaza.”
Then, one by one, these leaders have acted in ways that have achieved the complete opposite.
Their threats to recognise a Palestinian state does the following:
- Makes the release of Israel’s hostages less likely. Hamas has been emboldened to hold out.
- Endangers the lives of the hostages. They are still suffering in Gaza, and now Hamas is brazenly publicising its torture of them.
- Israel’s hand has been weakened against Hamas, both militarily and diplomatically.
- Strengthened Hamas, giving them political wins they could never achieve in battle.
- Hamas has been rewarded for October 7 with the promise of Palestinian statehood. Terror against Jews has been legitimised.
- Global demonisation of Israel has increased due to this recognition. Those unfamiliar with the conflict will view Israel more negatively.
CUFI has long opposed Palestinian recognition. We said since October 7 that any recognition would be a reward for Hamas terrorism, and we have been proven correct. Hamas themselves have said that October 7, the largest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust, “bought recognition” from these countries.
“The initiative by several countries to recognize a Palestinian state is one of the fruits of October 7. We proved that victory over Israel is not impossible, and our weapons are a symbol of Palestinian dignity.” – Ghazi Hamad, senior Hamas official.
Hamas also claims it wants to carry out more October 7 style attacks. They’ve claimed this is the first of many.
“We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do it twice and three times. The Al‑Aqsa Deluge [October 7] is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth… Yes, of course, [this means] the complete annihilation of Israel.” – Ghazi Hamad
So when Starmer, Macron, Carney, Albanese, and the other leaders who are threatening Palestinian recognition utter a single word in support of Israel or in condemnation of Hamas, their words are now meaningless.
We often invoke Chamberlain as the quintessential example of a weak leader. He was someone who tried to appease Hitler’s dangerous aggression in the hope of avoiding conflict.
Comparing our modern leaders to Chamberlain is a comparison that falls short.
Unlike Chamberlain, who at least attempted to restrain Hitler through diplomatic means. These men have actually enabled Hamas’s genocidal ambitions.
Starmer, Macron, Carney, and Albanese, and others, have become an Axis of Hypocrites and moved beyond appeasement. They’ve actively empowered Hamas.
This rapid shift of Western leaders from appeasement to empowerment of Hamas is a dangerous step in the wrong direction. God and history will not look kindly upon their actions.
