The West is descending into censorship, violence and authoritarianism in defence of Israel’s genocide

Western governments, from Washington to Berlin, have not only bankrolled Israel’s slaughter but have criminalized those daring to protest it, trampling free speech and assembly rights with authoritarian zeal.

By Fareed Khan 

The Western alliance, anchored by the United States and encompassing nations like the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada and their allies, has long positioned itself as a beacon of democratic values—free speech, freedom of assembly, and governmental accountability. Yet, a troubling shift has emerged, particularly since the escalation of Israel’s genocide in Gaza since October 8, 2023. 

These nations are increasingly resorting to censorship, violence, and measures more consistent with authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent against Israel’s brutal military assault against Palestinians in the enclave, which numerous human rights organizations, more than 800 genocide, human rights and Holocaust experts, and the United Nations have labeled as genocidal. Such actions not only erode the democratic principles these nations claim to uphold but also point to an alarming degree of Israeli influence over the Middle East policy of Western nations. The evidence lies in the silencing of pro-Palestinian voices, the aggressive (and at times violent) policing of protests, and the conspicuous omission of Israeli foreign interference from critical inquiries, such as Canada’s federal foreign interference inquiry.

The erosion of free speech

Across the Western alliance, the right to free expression, particularly criticism of Israel’s crimes in Gaza, is under unprecedented attack. In the United States, the return of Donald Trump to the presidency in 2025 has intensified efforts to stifle dissent. Alarmingly, American citizens and legal residents protesting Israel’s actions have faced violations of their constitutional rights, arrests and excessive use of force.

In April 2024, students at Emory University in Georgia and UCLA were arrested, tear-gassed, and hit with rubber bullets during peaceful pro-Palestinian demonstrations. In Chicago, police detained over 100 protesters in August 2024 outside the Democratic National Committee and the Israeli Consulate. According to Ben Meyer, a member of the Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, a mass arrest was declared around 30 minutes after the protest began, suggesting that it had been planned in advance, a tactic that has been deemed illegal. These incidents reflect a broader pattern of criminalizing dissent when it challenges US support for Israel.

Germany has adopted a draconian approach to Palestine solidarity demonstrations. Since the Gaza conflict escalated, the German government has banned Palestinian symbols like the keffiyeh and the Palestinian flag, as well as protests against Israel’s actions. These measures have been justified as efforts to combat antisemitism, and have disproportionately targeted pro-Palestinian voices. A Jewish Museum of Berlin employee was fired for describing Israel’s occupation of the West Bank as “apartheid,” a term supported by Amnesty International and Israeli human rights group B’Tselem. Furthermore, Germany’s continued arms exports to Israel, valued at over US$576.6 million from October 2023 to May 2025, underscoring its prioritization of geopolitical alliances over human rights.

However, Germans have boldly defied their government, joining thousands in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza and their own government’s complicity in the crisis. Despite facing aggressive policing, including the use of tear gas and physical abuse during arrests of peaceful demonstrators, the protest, have grown despite the bans. The crackdowns have sparked widespread criticism of the German government, with the Council of Europe’s Human Rights Commissioner, Michael O’Flaherty, warning that Germany’s heavy-handed approach threatens freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. In a June 2025 letter to Germany’s Minister of the Interior, O’Flaherty urged German authorities to align their response to the protests with rights guaranteed under the European Union’s Charter of Fundamental Rights, and case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, and the Council of Europe standards on freedom of expression.

In the United Kingdom, the suppression of pro-Palestinian activism has reached disturbing lows. Earlier this month Marianne Sorrell, an 80-year-old retired teacher, had her home in Wells, Somerset, raided by police, who confiscated her possessions and detained her for 27 hours. Her offence? Holding a sign at a protest that read, “I oppose genocide. I support Palestine Action.” This followed Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s decision to proscribe Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, criminalizing expressions of support for the group. Over 500 activists, including elderly individuals, NHS workers, and a blind man in a wheelchair, were arrested during a peaceful protest outside Parliament, holding placards with similar messages. Many reported being denied water and exposed to harsh conditions during detention, highlighting the abuse accompanying this censorship. The UK’s actions suggest a willingness to sacrifice free speech to align with Israel’s narrative, undermining its democratic credentials.

In France, the government also adopted a harsh anti-democratic approach by banning pro-Palestinian protests at the onset of the Gaza conflict, with some municipalities prohibiting the display of the Palestinian flag. These measures, enacted despite France’s constitutional commitment to free speech, reveal a selective application of democratic principles when it comes to Israel. The crackdown has included arrests for minor infractions, such as wearing pro-Palestinian symbols, further demonstrating an assault on the basic rights of French citizens.

In Canada, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has documented “systemic suppression” of Palestinian solidarity, including “bubble zone” municipal bylaws restricting protests near Israeli consulates and Jewish institutions. The Canadian government’s decision to blacklist Samidoun, a pro-Palestinian advocacy group, as a terrorist organization has further criminalized support for Palestinian causes. These actions align with a broader effort to silence and persecute voices critical of Israel, often under the guise of national security or preventing “antisemitism”.

Violence and authoritarian tactics

The use of excessive force to suppress pro-Palestinian protests is a hallmark of this authoritarian shift in Western societies. In the US, the deployment of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to New York and other states to quell anti-genocide protests, and singling out visa students and legal residents signals a readiness to use overwhelming federal resources against citizens exercising their constitutional rights. In Austin, Texas, police used pepper spray and tasers on students protesting at the University of Texas in April 2024, with over 50 arrests reported.

In the UK, the mass arrests of peaceful protesters in August 2025, many of whom were elderly or vulnerable, indicate a disregard for basic human rights. Detainees reported being denied basic necessities and held in harsh conditions, a tactic designed to deter future protests. In Germany, police have repeatedly used violence against pro-Palestinian demonstrators, with reports of injuries among peaceful protesters in Berlin. France’s response has been similarly heavy-handed, with police using tear gas and making arrests for minor infractions like displaying Palestinian flags. In Canada, the use of “bubble zone” bylaws has been accompanied by reports of police intimidating protesters, including those holding silent vigils for Gaza victims.

Israeli influence and unchecked interference

Perhaps the most insidious aspect of this suppression of legal protests is the apparent influence of Israel on the Middle East policies of Western governments, coupled with a refusal of these governments to investigate this influence, which can be deemed as foreign interference. In Canada, the federal foreign interference inquiry, launched to examine foreign influence in Canadian politics, conspicuously excluded Israel from its scope. A report by Justice for All Canada documents Israel’s efforts to shape Canadian policy through funding political campaigns, intimidating parliamentarians, and threatening media outlets that are critical of Israel.

In the US, pro-Israel lobbying groups like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have spent hundreds of millions of dollars since 2020 to influence congressional elections, ensuring that candidates critical of Israel don’t get elected. In 2023 and 2024 AIPAC’s funding was instrumental in defeating progressive candidates who called for a Gaza ceasefire, such as Representatives Jamaal Bowman and Cori Bush.

The UK has seen similar patterns, with groups like the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Conservative Friends of Israel pressuring policymakers to adopt pro-Israel stances regardless of that nation’s violation of international human rights laws. A 2025 report revealed that over 80% of Conservative MPs received funding or trips from pro-Israel groups, raising concerns about Israeli manipulation and undue influence.

In Germany, the close relationship between the government and Israel has led to policies prioritizing Israel’s security narrative over free expression and justice for Palestinians. The German government’s refusal to halt arms exports to Israel, even as the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, underscores this alignment.

In France, former Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin has criticized the lack of condemnation or action of governments surrounding Israel’s actions, calling it a “historic scandal.” In a recent op-ed published in Le Monde, Villepin said, “I am forced to confront a tragic reality: A crime is taking place in Gaza, a crime of genocide. More and more voices, including among historians and Israeli NGOs, have risen to call it such, and I recognize and admire the courage it takes to do so, as seen in the examples of Omer Bartov, Amos Goldberg, B'Tselem and Physicians for Human Rights.”

The descent into censorship, violence, and repression in Western countries in defence of Israel’s genocidal actions represents a profound betrayal of democratic values. The silencing of pro-Palestinian voices undermines free speech, while the use of excessive force against protesters erodes their fundamental rights despite protections entrenched in law. Meanwhile the refusal to investigate Israeli foreign interference in Western governments raises serious questions not just about the sovereignty of Western democracies, but also whether a foreign power is in control of policies related to the Middle-East and the diaspora communities living in those Western nations. The actions of Western governments not only harms targeted individuals and communities, but also erodes public trust in institutions meant to protect everyone’s democratic freedoms.

The international community is increasingly acknowledging Israel’s actions as crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide, as evidenced by reports from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, in addition to statements by hundreds of genocide and human rights scholars, underscoring the urgency of this issue. The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli leaders further highlight the need for accountability. Yet, Western nations continue to shield Israel, often at the expense of their own citizens’ rights and their standing in the global community. This complicity risks normalizing repressive tactics, as Western governments prioritize their relationship with a genocidal regime over democratic principles, to which they claim they are committed.

Media complicity and public perception

The mainstream media in Western nations has often played a complicit role in this authoritarian drift by framing pro-Palestinian activism as inherently antisemitic or threatening. In the US, major outlets like CNN and The New York Times have been criticized for downplaying Israel’s actions in Gaza while amplifying narratives that justify crackdowns on pro-Palestinian protests. In Canada, the Globe and Mail and the Postmedia chain of newspapers have been shown to be inherently anti-Palestinian. 

 

Coverage of the 2024 student protests on university campuses was heavily critical of the protesters, repeating accusations of antisemitism,  overshadowing the broader demand for a ceasefire and accountability for Israel’s criminal actions. In the UK, tabloids sensationalized pro-Palestinian protests to justify police crackdowns, further eroding public support for free expression. In Canada this media bias distorts public perception and emboldens governments to escalate censorship and repression without fear of widespread backlash.

The chilling effect on civil society

The crackdowns on pro-Palestinian activism have created a chilling effect on civil society, intimidating individuals and organizations to prevent them from speaking out. In Canada, grassroots groups advocating for Palestinian rights have reported increased harassment, including doxxing and threats, often amplified by Zionist and pro-Israel advocacy groups. In Germany, cultural institutions and universities have cancelled events featuring Palestinian speakers, citing concerns about “antisemitism,” effectively silencing critical voices. This climate of repression stifles open debate, a cornerstone of democratic societies, and signals to citizens that dissent on the issue of Israel comes at a high personal cost.

Israel’s influence extends beyond lobbying to economic and diplomatic leverage. In the US, defence contractors like Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, which supply weapons to Israel, have significant sway over policy decisions, as their contracts are tied to US military aid to Israel, exceeding US$3.8 billion annually. In Germany, Israel’s role as a key partner in intelligence-sharing and counter-terrorism has solidified its influence, with German officials citing “historical responsibility” to justify unwavering support. In Canada, trade agreements and investments with Israel, particularly in technology and cybersecurity, have created a dependency that discourages scrutiny of Israeli influence.

The Western alliance’s selective outrage over human rights abuses in other nations exposes its hypocrisy. While nations like China and Russia face sanctions for their authoritarian practices, Israel’s actions in Gaza—documented as causing over 70,000 civilian deaths by July 2025—receive minimal criticism from Western leaders. Additionally, the US has consistently vetoed multiple UN Security Council resolutions calling for a Gaza ceasefire, and shielded Israel from accountability. This double standard undermines the West’s moral credibility and fuels global perceptions of complicity in Israel’s actions, further eroding trust.

The path forward

The West’s unwavering support for Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza stands as the moral catastrophe of our era, echoing the shameful lack of action by the US and Europe when Nazi Germany began committing atrocities against Jews and other German minorities in the 1930s. This complicity—marked by billions in arms sales, diplomatic cover, and suppression of dissent—exposes a grotesque betrayal of democratic principles. Western governments, from Washington to Berlin, have not only bankrolled Israel’s slaughter but have criminalized those daring to protest it, trampling free speech and assembly rights with authoritarian zeal.

To halt this descent into tyranny, Western leaders must unequivocally condemn Israel’s war crimes, dismantle draconian bans on pro-Palestinian symbols and protests, and end the brutal policing of demonstrators. They must also investigate Israeli foreign interference, including its documented influence over Western policies, as seen in lobbying scandals reported by Al Jazeera in 2024.

Civil society is rising, with groups like Defend Our Juries in the UK and the BCCLA in Canada spearheading campaigns to overturn unjust laws. Citizens must demand accountability, forcing foreign policy to reflect justice, not geopolitical cowardice. The West’s alignment with Israel’s carnage—over 70,000 Palestinian deaths by mid-2025—has gutted its moral credibility. To redeem itself, the West must confront its complicity, halt arms shipments, and restore the democratic values it hypocritically claims to champion, lest history judge it as it does those who appeased the Nazis in 1930s.

© 2025 The View From Here. © 2025 Fareed Khan. All Rights Reserved.