5-11-2023 (KUALA LUMPUR) Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad drew a striking parallel between historical colonial atrocities and present-day conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
Mahathir did not mince his words, stating that the United States was essentially a settlers’ colony that had witnessed the ethnic cleansing of Native Americans by the early settlers. He drew a controversial comparison between the treatment of Native Americans and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, implying that the atrocities committed were strikingly similar.
His criticism did not stop at the US but extended to the United Kingdom, which he referred to as a mere “lapdog” of the US. Mahathir accused the UK of harboring delusions of grandeur regarding its colonial past, alleging its complicity in the ongoing conflict and apparent indifference to acts of genocide.
Furthermore, the former Malaysian Prime Minister contended that the actions of Israel represented a continuation of colonial settler behavior, perpetuated with unwavering support from the US, UK, and other former imperialist nations. He accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity with impunity, aided and abetted by these powerful nations.
Mahathir did not shy away from implicating all these nations, insisting that they all bore responsibility for the ongoing conflict and expressing his belief that they sought to further their interests through acts of violence.
While Mahathir’s statements are certainly provocative and controversial, they highlight the ongoing international debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the historical context in which it is framed. The accusations levelled by the former Malaysian Prime Minister are sure to add fuel to this contentious issue and spark further discussions on the role of colonial history in current conflicts.
The US is definitely a settlers’ colony in which Native Americans were ethnically cleansed by settlers. What the US settlers did to the Native Americans are no different than that being committed by the Israelis on Palestinians.
The UK Government, though merely a lapdog of the… pic.twitter.com/bxdlUZt2BM
— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) November 4, 2023
