Jean Paul Sartre, a philosopher deemed for his work on Existential philosophy had an anti-colonial stance and was a known Marxist— however, the French philosopher (whose first name is pronounced as John by the way) ironically had a pro-Israel stance.
In the Arab world, Sartre's notions were considered to be of meaning. Sartre was against the European Political passivity which had filled the air in the 1960s and called on for the liberation of many colonised nations such as Algeria which had been colonised by the French since 1830. Sartre's ideas were considered as 'revolutionary', only for this narrative to completely blow off when the existential philosopher remained prevaricate when it came to Palestine. Were the atrocities committed by Israelis not more brutal than the ones British committed in Rhodesia or the French did in Algeria? Sartre signed a petition on behalf of Israel in an attempt to not let down his 'Zionist comrades' so was Sartre a crypto-Zionist?
Sartre's political hypocrisy disappointed the Palestinian-American activist and writer, Edward Said who said, "I guess we need to understand why great old men are liable to succumb either to the wiles of younger ones, or to the grip of an unmodifiable political belief. It's a dispiriting thought, but it's what happened to Sartre. With the exception of Algeria, the justice of the Arab cause simply could not make an impression on him, and whether it was entirely because of Israel or because of a basic lack of sympathy – cultural or perhaps religious – it's impossible for me to say."
Sartre's political philosophy is mirrored in most leftists who claim to be progressives especially in the Global North. They call on for sanctions after sanctions for Russia which recently violated Ukraine's sovereignty but where does their fervour for human rights go when it comes to Palestine— a country that has been colonised by Israel. Israel is an ethno-national state in the mould of 19th settler imperialism transposed in real time in post war 2 era (supposedly a post colonial time) papier-mâchéd over in the course of decades by entirety of the world. Does the ethnic cleansing of people who don't have blonde hair and blue eyes not warrant any attention of the international communities?