When Arab leaders face public backlash, crumbling economies, or internal chaos, they often reach for a familiar lifeline: blame Israel. It’s a time-tested method in the region — shift public anger outward to avoid facing uncomfortable truths at home.
Now, disturbingly, some European leaders are adopting the same tactic.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s latest push for a tougher arms embargo on Israel is being marketed as a moral stance. But many see it for what it really is: political posturing. Sánchez, grappling with economic troubles and coalition instability, appears to be using Israel as a convenient scapegoat to shield himself from domestic criticism.
Across the border in France, President Emmanuel Macron is no stranger to this diversionary strategy. With his approval ratings plunging to a historic low of 19% — worse than during the peak of the Yellow Vests uprising — Macron is now loudly championing Palestinian statehood. While the cause may be just in theory, the timing reeks of political desperation. This isn’t about peace — it’s about polls.