Gaza exposes Europe’s hypocrisy on the Day of the Righteous

On 6 March, Europe commemorates the Day of the Righteous, a day meant to honour those who have stood against oppression, genocide and crimes against humanity, resisting the injustices of their time. The concept is rooted in recognising moral courage — especially in times when speaking out or taking action against injustice comes at great personal risk.

But looking at the behaviour of European governments today with regards to pro-Palestine voices speaking out against Israel’s devastation of Gaza and its people, the contrast is staggering: Europe celebrates past heroes while punishing those who show righteousness today.

A day meant to inspire moral courage

The Day of the Righteous has its roots in the recognition of those who defied tyranny. The concept was first institutionalised by Yad Vashem’s ‘Righteous Among the Nations’, honouring non-Jews who saved Jews during the Holocaust. The idea later expanded, and in 2012, the European Parliament designated 6 March as the European Day of the Righteous, broadening the scope to recognise those who resisted totalitarian regimes, genocide and oppression in various historical contexts including Stalinism and apartheid.

Figures like Oskar Schindler, who saved over a thousand Jews, or German student and anti-Nazi political activist Sophie Scholl, are widely praised for their acts of defiance. These individuals stood against the crimes of their time, often at great personal risk. Nelson Mandela is also widely revered for his fight against apartheid, despite being an unpopular figure at the time.

Europe prides itself on remembering these acts of bravery. Schools teach about them. Streets are named after them. Politicians quote them in speeches. But the real test of righteousness is not in looking back, it is in standing up now. And today, those who dare to expose war crimes, speak truth to power, and challenge oppression are being systematically silenced, excluded, deplatformed, or criminalised.

Selective righteousness is no righteousness at all

The hypocrisy is impossible to ignore. The same governments that tell us to admire those who resisted apartheid in South Africa now condemn those who condemn Israeli apartheid. They honour those who spoke out against past genocides while punishing those who demand action against the one unfolding before our eyes. They teach children about the dangers of remaining silent in the face of injustice, while criminalising those who refuse to be silent today.

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What does it mean to celebrate moral courage if it is only praised when it is politically convenient? If righteousness is punished in the present, what will history say about those who enforced this silence?

Across Europe, journalists, activists, students and academics who call out the mass killing of Palestinians are losing their jobs, being expelled, being smeared as extremists, or are facing legal action.

These are the very people who might, in another era, be remembered as righteous. Yet, today, they are being crushed under the weight of state repression, corporate complicity and media bias.

The Day of the Righteous should not be a hollow ritual, nor a tool for governments to selectively honour the past while suppressing the present. The true measure of righteousness is not in words, but in action. It is in standing against injustice not decades later, when it is safe and politically acceptable, but now, when it comes with consequences.

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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.