Land of the free?

The US government has allowed Americans to burn sacred texts, burn flags of other countries and even openly bad mouth police and government employees – all in the name of free expression. But now it is enacting a law that restricts criticism of Israel. This is being done because the people of the US are protesting against their own government’s act of financially and militarily supporting Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.

This whole situation highlights some serious faults in the democratic system of governance, for which the US serves as a blueprint. Both its major parties, despite being answerable to the people, are trying to stifle their opposition to Israel’s actions seemingly under the influence of powerful lobbies.

Shahryar Khan Baseer P Engr

Islamabad