The tragic car-ramming incident in the Christmas market of Magdeburg, Germany, which resulted in the death and injury of dozens of people, once again drew attention to the issue of terrorism and the internal security of European countries. The perpetrator of this attack has been identified as a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who, according to media reports, promoted extreme right-wing and anti-Muslim views on social media. This event has various dimensions that go beyond its individual nature and point to the West's behavior in dealing with terrorism and security issues.
International reactions: Sympathy or political exploitation?
European and American leaders immediately condemned the incident and expressed their condolences to the victims and their families. From Emmanuel Macron to Ursula von der Leyen and Mark Rutte, all emphasized the necessity of combating violence and terrorism. However, these same countries have remained silent in the face of blatant human rights violations in other parts of the world, especially in Palestine.
For example, the Zionist regime has carried out the most severe military attacks and state terrorism against the people of Palestine and Lebanon in the past 14 months. Yet, the countries that strongly condemn the Magdeburg incident have not only failed to react but have also legitimized the regime's crimes through their economic, political, and military support. This dual behavior exposes the West's profound contradiction in dealing with terrorist events.
Duality in defining terrorism
The West consistently applies double standards in defining terrorism. Groups that act in the interests of the West are removed from terrorist lists or even supported. For example, groups like Tahrir al-Sham, which have been on terrorist lists for years and have a history of massacres and crimes, are now implicitly supported by the US and Europe. In contrast, smaller incidents in Europe and America are exaggerated to such an extent that it seems as if the entire world's security is at stake.
This selective approach, in addition to reducing public trust, increases the risk of creating more tensions within and beyond Western borders.
Exploiting the incident for Islamophobia and Xenophobia
One of the prominent aspects of this incident is the Western media's attempt to link it to the nationality and religion of the attacker. Instead of addressing the structural and social factors of such incidents, the media has emphasized the attacker's Saudi nationality and Muslim faith. This is while the individual has lived and operated in the West for years, and Western culture has played a significant role in shaping his personality and behavior.
This type of media narrative, along with the spread of xenophobic and Islamophobic discourse in the West, can exacerbate social divisions and further threaten the internal security of these countries.
Consequences
The Magdeburg incident, regardless of the perpetrator's motives, reflects the security, social, and political crises in Western countries. The West's double standards to defining and dealing with terrorism, excessive focus on foreign interventions, and neglect of domestic issues, have contributed to the intensification of these crises.
On the other hand, exploiting such incidents to promote racist and Islamophobic narratives, instead of finding comprehensive solutions, only complicates the situation. This is while sustainable security can only be achieved through a fair and non-selective approach to both internal and external matters.
Ultimately, what is happening in Germany and other parts of the world indicates the fact that the West's double standard to terrorism will eventually backfire. These contradictions, in addition to damaging the West's international credibility, will lead to increased security risks and instability worldwide.
NOURNEWS