AI Says...
From Latin America to the Arab world, passing through Africa and Asia, anti-Western sentiment is on the rise, often expressed vehemently on social media, in activist rhetoric, and in political forums across the so-called "Global South." This rejection targets not only the foreign policies of the United States and Europe, but more deeply, the very idea of “Western democracy,” which is widely perceived as hypocritical, domineering, and complicit in global injustices.
The Roots of Rejection: A Heavy Past and an Arrogant Present
To understand this widespread resentment, we must first acknowledge the historical and contemporary reasons fueling it:
Colonial Legacy and Imperialist Wars
Europe built much of its wealth on the plunder of resources and enslavement of entire populations. The scars of colonialism in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East remain very much open.
Unilateral Military Interventions
Recent examples such as the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the 2011 intervention in Libya, or support for coups (in Chile, Egypt, etc.) reinforce the image of the West as acting above international law, under the guise of morality.
Double Standards
The instrumentalization of the UN, international law, or the Security Council in global conflicts is regularly condemned. The case of Palestine, where UN resolutions go unheeded while Israel enjoys unconditional U.S. support, epitomizes this indignation.
Western Favoritism Toward Israel
In the U.S. Congress, more than 300 House members and 70 senators directly or indirectly support pro-Israel positions through votes, public statements, or their alignment with AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee). Conversely, very few elected officials actively defend Palestinian rights — a handful like Rashida Tlaib or Ilhan Omar, often marginalized or harshly criticized for their stance.
The Illusion of an Alternative: The Authoritarian Temptation
In response to what is perceived as cynical Western dominance, some nations and leaders turn toward authoritarian models: Putin ’s Russia, Xi Jinping’s China, or Iran under the mullahs.
This search for a “counterbalance” is based on the belief that the West no longer holds a monopoly on power or morality. Yet these alternative regimes are themselves deeply undemocratic, suppressing dissent, targeting minorities, and offering no guarantees of fundamental rights or individual liberties.
Misunderstanding How Democracies Work
Much of the hatred directed at Western democracies stems from a structural misunderstanding of how they function.
In theory, democracy is based on representative power, balanced by checks and balances — an independent press, judiciary, unions, civic groups, and a pluralistic parliament. It is not a monolithic entity governed by a fixed morality. It can be manipulated, biased, or unbalanced — especially if social or ethnic diversity is not represented in its institutions.
Take the example of the Palestinian cause, or countries like Lebanon, Algeria, or Palestine itself, which have powerful, educated, and financially strong diasporas. Yet these diasporas are not organized to effectively influence key centers of power: the U.S. Congress, the European Parliament, mainstream media, or think tanks.
Lack of Representation = Lack of Influence
Overwhelming Pro-Israel Representation in the U.S. Congress
The U.S. Congress, composed of 435 House members and 100 senators, is considered one of the most pro-Israel legislatures in the world. This alignment is not merely ideological — it is the result of decades of intensive lobbying, primarily by AIPAC, but also groups like Christians United for Israel, JINSA, or the ADL.
Key Figures:
House of Representatives (435 members):Roughly 330 to 350 members — that is, 76% to 80% — consistently support pro-Israel positions through their votes, co-sponsorship of resolutions, public statements, or participation in AIPAC-sponsored trips. In 2023, 331 representatives voted in favor of increasing military aid to Israel — despite mounting criticism over the situation in Gaza.
Senate (100 members):About 85 to 90 senators — 85% to 90% — are identified as regular or consistent supporters of Israeli policies.High-profile figures include Chuck Schumer, Lindsey Graham, Bob Menendez, and Mitch McConnell, all of whom benefit from direct or indirect support from pro-Israel groups.
In 2022, AIPAC invested over $40 million to support pro-Israel candidates in both Democratic and Republican primaries — a record-breaking amount, as AIPAC only began direct political action in 2020.
Active vs Passive Support
About 250 lawmakers (more than 50% of Congress) are actively engaged in pro-Israel advocacy — through voting records, public statements, or campaign funding received.
The rest (80–100 members) are considered passive or silent supporters, who vote along pro-Israel lines without vocal engagement.
⚖️ What About Support for the Palestinian Cause?
Representation is extremely limited and often marginalized:
In the House:Only 6 to 8 representatives regularly speak out in favor of Palestinian rights, including:
Rashida Tlaib (of Palestinian origin)
Ilhan Omar
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Cori Bush
Ayanna Pressley
Jamaal Bowman (though his position has fluctuated)
In the Senate:Bernie Sanders is one of the few senators to openly criticize Israeli government policies, while maintaining his support for Israel’s right to exist.
Summary in Numbers:
Pro-Israel (active or passive) in U.S. Congress: ~85%
Active pro-Palestinian lawmakers: <2%
Annual U.S. military aid to Israel: $3.8 billion
Total cumulative U.S. aid to Israel since 1948: Over $150 billion (in constant dollars)
This Imbalance Is Not Accidental
This massive imbalance is not the result of fate, but of a deliberate and well-structured strategy of representation, bipartisan alliances, and effective fundraising.The Palestinian diaspora, despite being large, educated, and sometimes influential, has failed to form a coherent, well-funded, and powerful lobby capable of influencing American politics in the same way.
Conclusion: Less Outrage, More Organization
It is legitimate to criticize the arrogance and hypocrisy of Western powers.But it is counterproductive to reject democracy itself, or to assume that authoritarian regimes offer a viable or moral alternative.
It is not democracy that is immoral, but rather the dominant actors within it — those who are present, influential, and organized.If the peoples of the Global South wish to rebalance the scales, they must engage democratic institutions, media, parliaments, and universities.That is where decisions are made — not in the streets, and certainly not in the arms of Xi Jinping or Vladimir Putin.