The Unknown Road

The problem with ethnic cleansing, occupation-force violence, and state genocide is that it never has a clear starting point or a distinct person who can be held to account.

This is historically characteristic of progressive persecution. It starts small, increments slowly, and is a product of pragmatism and convenience. Truly.

Consider the Shoah. Did Hitler order it? No. Did he connive at it? Yes. Is there a single document stating his intent? Probably only Mein Kampff. But it happened nevertheless because there were plenty of people willing to '𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳' by anticipating his will. Hence the camps and the gas chambers. Hence, the individuals who could 'console' themselves by saying it wasn't really their fault. Even if it was.

The lesson to be learned was played out again in Gaza and the West Bank. Who's to blame? Netanyahu? I would be very surprised if there is one single record of him ever saying he wanted to kill Palestinians. Or anyone else for that matter. Yes, he is to blame, as he facilitated the process. But individual criminals... that's a more complex call.

What about us? As polarisation around Majority versus Minority groups takes place, and the invective grows in brutality, are we likely to pass down that same appalling road? I've got to say there are no national exceptions.