In a world fraught with horrific acts of violence and large-scale human rights abuses, it is tempting to look towards so-called democratic and progressive Western nations for intervention and moral leadership. However, a critical examination of history and contemporary policies reveals a stark and troubling reality: these same governments have perpetuated genocides, engaged in deceit, and practiced brainwashing techniques remarkably similar to those employed by regimes they condemn. Western nations typically label resistance fighters as terrorists, even though international law upholds the right of an occupied people to resist their occupiers. Meanwhile, they allow the real terrorists—those who commit and inflict genocide—to continue their actions. Given their histories, we must scrutinize their capability and willingness to address ongoing genocides around the planet, particularly in the case of Israel.
Historical Context: The Genocidal Legacies of Western Nations
Canada
In the very fabric of Canadian history sits a dark chapter of systemic erasure of its Indigenous populations. Residential schools aimed to “kill the Indian in the child,” forcibly assimilating Indigenous children and eradicating their cultures and languages. Policies of forced sterilization and land theft were carried out with governmental sanction, leading to intergenerational trauma that persists to this day. Despite frequent acknowledgment and apologies, no real reconciliation has been made. If the Canadian government genuinely sought to make things right, it would dismantle itself and return the land to its original inhabitants as the rightful caretakers.
The United States
The story of the United States is similarly marred by the genocide of its Indigenous peoples. Manifest Destiny and westward expansion were driven by ideologies that viewed Native Americans as obstacles to be removed. The U.S. government’s current foreign policy continues its legacy of violence through funding and supporting genocides worldwide, from maintaining oppressive regimes to conducting drone strikes that kill civilians.
The United Kingdom
Britain’s colonial expeditions left deep scars across continents. The Bengal Famine, perpetrated under British rule, led to millions of deaths, while the suppression of uprisings in places like Kenya, India, and Malaysia were marked by brutal killings and mass imprisonments. These are but a few examples of Britain’s genocidal legacy.
Germany
While the world will never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust, it is essential to remember that the genocidal tendencies of Nazi Germany were not isolated events. These brutal practices emerged within a context of imperial ambitions and racial ideologies that Western nations have, to varying extents, shared and perpetuated.
Australia and New Zealand
Both Australia and New Zealand participated in the genocidal erasure of their Indigenous populations. Australia’s “Stolen Generations” involved the removal of Aboriginal children from their families to assimilate them into white society, while New Zealand’s Maori faced land confiscations, wars, and introduced diseases.
Saudi Arabia
As an ally of many Western nations, Saudi Arabia engages in practices that are genocidal in nature, such as the ongoing conflict in Yemen, supported by Western arms deals and military aid. The kingdom’s human rights abuses, including the repression of activists, echo the aggressive tactics of other historical regimes.
The Inaction and Complicity Towards Israel’s Actions
Despite these histories, Western nations have shown a blatant unwillingness to take meaningful action against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Countries like Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and others not only support Israel but have yet to place any meaningful sanctions or halt arms sales. Instead, they continue to provide diplomatic cover and financial aid, allowing Israel to perpetuate and escalate its operations.
Year after year, we witness the same cycle: periods of intense violence followed by international outcry, yet no substantial policy changes. Calls for sanctions, boycotts, or even arms embargos fall on deaf ears in Western capitals. Instead, these governments often cite “security concerns” or “strategic alliances” to justify their inaction or limited responses.
The deliberate omission of these atrocities from mainstream narratives and the crafting of misleading propaganda are techniques that Western nations have both used historically and continue to support in the context of Israel. Canada’s attempted erasure of its Indigenous peoples, the U.S.’s portrayal of Native Americans as “savages,” Britain’s colonial propaganda—these are all historical precedents that mirror how they support Israel’s narrative today.
Given these histories, the question arises: How can nations deeply involved in genocides themselves and in ongoing complicity serve as credible arbiters of justice and morality? The uncomfortable truth is that these Western governments often project their power through policies that benefit political and economic interests, regardless of the human cost. The foundations of these nations are built atop layers of oppression, violence, and deceit, and their foreign policies towards Israel reflect that same moral bankruptcy.
Trusting these same governments to address contemporary genocides becomes not just naive but dangerous. Their histories of violence, coupled with ongoing geopolitical maneuvers, suggest that they will only act when it benefits their agendas. Consequently, the onus is on global citizens to push for change, hold their leaders accountable, and support non-governmental organizations committed to human rights and justice.
Western nations like Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Australia, and many others have long histories of committing and hiding genocides. Their moral positioning in the global arena is thus inherently flawed and hypocritical. As Israel continues its egregious actions against Palestinians with the tacit approval of these nations, it becomes clear that we cannot rely on these governments to do the right thing. The path to justice and peace requires grassroots movements, independent watchdogs, and an informed global citizenry willing to confront uncomfortable truths.
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