Modern-day Barbarians

Zafar Bangash

The world has always been a dangerous place, especially for the weak and vulnerable, but it has become much more violent in recent years. Concepts such as international law, freedom and human rights are often invoked, but these are meaningless expressions used by the predatory exploitative powers to advance their own nefarious agenda.

Two individuals in particular stand out for their criminal conduct: Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. It is diffcult to tell them apart in terms of who is more dangerous. Both are obnoxious to the core and extremely cruel.

Trump is a convicted felon while Netanyahu faces corruption and fraud charges from which he is trying to wriggle out by perpetrating a genocide of the Palestinian people. He is also an indicted war criminal and faces arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

Terrorising and killing innocent people is their speciality. In short, they fit the definition of barbarians perfectly.

The ancient barbarians, despite their terrible reputation, do not come close to the modern-day barbarians in terms of the death and destruction they have wrought. Ancient barbarians fought with swords and spears. So, their impact was limited.

Contemporary barbarians use missiles, bombs, planes, drone and even chemical and nuclear weapons to wipe out entire populations. Contemporary barbarians kill on an industrial scale and do not even blink an eye for committing such horrendous crimes. Since 2001, the US has murdered more than 32 million people, according to Professor Gideon Polya.

The two leading modern-day barbarians are not alone. They sit atop systems that are by nature exploitative. Theft of others’ lands and their resources, robbery and killings are routine for them. In fact, their very existence depends of such crimes. They wage wars killing innocent people because they can do so.

Neither Trump nor Netanyahu emerged in a vacuum; they are not aberrations. They are representatives of systems that do not consider other people as humans.

What is called the United States of America is land stolen by Europeans from the Indigenous people. The latter had welcomed them and even given them shelter and food. In return for such kindness, the Europeans perpetrated a genocide of these people.

What might have been a population of perhaps 400 million is reduced to at best two to three million people today. They are confined to reservations where the basic amenities of life barely exist.

The European colonial settlers’ westward expansion was at the expense of Mexico. Large parts of western United States belonged to Mexico but through wars, these were forcibly taken away and occupied.

The zionist marauders’ occupation of Palestine and the expulsion and/or genocide of the Indigenous Palestinian people has followed a similar trajectory. Their policy, like that of the Americans, is the same. Those opposing their genocide are branded as terrorists. Those who point to zionist crimes and speak out against them are branded as “terrorist sympathizers” and “anti-semites”.

Imagine white Europeans—from East and West Europe—and North America claim to be ‘semites’ while they continue to murder the actual semitic people—the Palestinians—in huge numbers. The most conservative estimate puts the number of Palestinians killed since October 2023 at more than 50,000. The actual figure is much higher, perhaps four times.

The entire infrastructure of Gaza has been destroyed including hospitals, schools, universities and libraries. The zionists are even preventing food and medicines from being delivered. This is collective punishment of the entire population of Gaza.

Why are they indulging in such barbarism? The zionists claim that God promised them the land of Palestine. Was this promise in perpetuity and did they fulfill the covenant that had led to such a promise more than 2,500 years ago?

The Qur’an tells us that God saved the Bani Israel from the Pharaoh’s army by taking them across the Red Sea. He then commanded them to enter Palestine. They flatly refused telling Prophet Musa (as) who was leading them, that he and his Lord can go into Palestine. They would stay put until those people in Palestine, whom they viewed as very powerful, are banished from there. For their refusal to abide by God’s command, they were punished by making them wander the desert for 40 years (Surah al-Maida, ayats 20-26).

Why would God make a promise to hustlers and thieves when the vast majority of them do not even believe in Him? Their abominable immoral conduct specifically excludes them from God’s covenant. It is inconceivable that God would favour racists, bigots and thieves. Anyone who discriminates against other people based on race, ethnicity or language cannot be considered part of the human family.

So, what should the rest of humanity do to confront such barbarism? Speaking out against such crimes is the starting point. While much of the world is aware of these crimes, a constant reminder is necessary to ensure this remains front and centre of every discourse.

Boycott of their products is the next step. Trump’s tariff threats against other countries have already aroused much anger against him and the US. There is push back. Similarly, the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions against the zionist entity is having an effect.

Those on the frontline of resisting US-zionist barbarism must be supported in whatever way possible. Those making sacrifices in this struggle must not be abandoned or made to feel isolated. This struggle is as much psychological as it is physical.

A better world is possible provided people of conscience everywhere rise up and fulfill their obligations.