The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation condemns double standards in global responses to atrocity, calls for immediate action on Gaza and Ukraine
Cape Town, South Africa – [23 May 2025] – The Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation today issued a global call for moral consistency and urgent action in the face of unfolding atrocities in Gaza and Ukraine. The Foundation condemned the false narrative of a “white genocide” in South Africa – a dangerous fabrication amplified by President Donald Trump in his meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa – while highlighting the silence and inaction surrounding real atrocities currently being committed elsewhere.
“Justice must not be selective. Our humanity must not be fragmented,” the Foundation said in a statement. “Whether in Kyiv or Khan Younis, suffering knows no border. The sanctity of life cannot depend on identity, religion, or political convenience.”
The Foundation warned of a growing moral crisis, pointing to the ongoing bombardment, starvation, and mass displacement of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which many international observers and legal scholars have called a genocide. It also reaffirmed its condemnation of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, which continues to bring death and destruction across that country.
Falsehood and Silence: A Dangerous Contrast
“Across the Global North, we have seen the amplification of a myth — the so-called ‘white genocide’ in South Africa. It is a lie. No such genocide has occurred,” the statement said.
“Meanwhile, some of the same governments and voices that have promoted this falsehood remain silent as real atrocities unfold in Gaza. Others provide weapons, funding, and political cover to those perpetrating war crimes. This is a moral failure of historic proportions.”
The Foundation invoked the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who famously warned that “if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.”
“Moral clarity demands that we speak out — consistently, boldly, and without exception. Silence is not neutrality. It is complicity.”
“We are pleased that some action has been taken by the Spanish Parliament to enact an arms embargo against Israel, and welcome the recent condemnatory statements from the leaders of France, the UK, and Canada. But these small actions in the face of a genocide are not enough.”
The Foundation further acknowledged the murder of two Israeli Embassy staff in Washington. “Any killing must be roundly condemned. Peace cannot come about through violence, and opposition to Israel’s actions must not include violence of any kind.”
Specific Demands for Action
The Foundation issued a series of concrete demands for governments around the world:
On Gaza:
- Impose an immediate, comprehensive arms embargo on Israel.
- Support the establishment of a no-fly zone to protect civilians from aerial bombardment.
- Guarantee unrestricted humanitarian access and protect aid workers. Countries should join a high-level diplomatic convoy to ensure aid is delivered without impediment.
- Demand full accountability for war crimes through international legal mechanisms.
On Ukraine:
- Intensify coordinated sanctions against Russia for its illegal invasion.
- Support diplomatic efforts for a negotiated, sustainable peace.
- Ensure continued humanitarian and civil support to civilians, particularly those under occupation.
On Global Responsibility:
- Publicly reject fabricated narratives like the “white genocide” myth in South Africa.
- Develop international mechanisms to ensure moral consistency in responses to mass atrocities.
- Reaffirm a global commitment to human rights, multilateralism, and the UN Charter as the foundation for peace.
A Global Imperative
The statement concluded with a call to action for all leaders, policymakers, and people of conscience:
“Let this be the moment when humanity chooses peace over vengeance, justice over oppression, and compassion over silence. The time for moral clarity is now. The time for action is now.”
Media Contacts:
Janet Jobson Niclas Kjellstrom-Matseke
Chief Executive Officer Chair of the Board
janet@tutu.org.za chairperson@tutu.org.za
078 255 8133 +46 72 744 5400
www.tutu.org.za www.tutu.org.za
ENDS