Humanitarianism and liberal democracies: An ambivalent relationship

The war in Gaza reveals a profound transformation in the humanitarian sector. While Joël Glasman sees it as a breaking point, Michaël Neuman believes that Gaza is instead the culmination of a process that has already begun: the criminalisation of the enemy, political hardening, and a gradual shift away from the liberal framework. Both agree that non-governmental organisations (NGOs), traditionally supported by Western democracies, are seeing these alliances crumble as they face a loss of legitimacy and resources on the ground. Faced with these changes, NGOs are being called upon to radically rethink their role, their functioning and their autonomy.