There is a hypocritical disconnect in Western and especially U.S. foreign policy. When it comes to Israel, the US is quick to claim "Israel has a right to defend itself". For Syria, that same right does not seem to exist.
Is Israel Defending Itself or Defending Occupation/Apartheid?
When Israel executed intense bombing campaigns against Gaza in 2008, 2012 and 2014 the US justified the attacks. At the United Nations on 18 July 2014, US Ambassador Samantha Power said ,
"President Obama spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu this morning to reaffirm the United States' strong support for Israel's right to defend itself.... Hamas' attacks are unacceptable and would be unacceptable to any member state of the United Nations. Israel has the right to defend its citizens and prevent these attacks."Israel claims it is simply responding defensively. The human rights group BtSelem reports that over the decade between June 2004 and July 2015, Palestinians launched over 8700 rockets and 5000 mortars from Gaza into Israel. However, the total number of civilians killed over 10 years was 28 for an average of fewer than three persons per year. Using this as a justification, Israel has attacked by air and invaded every few years with extreme discrepancy in casualty rates. For example, Israeli attacks on Gaza in Summer 2014 resulted in over 2900 deaths ..... 97% of them Palestinian.
Comment: There is no justification for allowing these soldiers to do as they please with no possibility of being brought to justice.