Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict last October, over 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza, and hundreds of thousands face famine. The world cries out for a cease-fire, yet the response from some major Western countries, especially the United States, has been tepid and, in some instances, contradictory.

The situation escalated further in American universities, traditionally bastions of free speech and democratic values. Recent events illustrate a disturbing trend in the suppression of civil liberties. At Columbia University, a notable Ivy League institution, the administration’s decision to call in the police to dismantle a student protest camp has ignited a nationwide movement. This action led to the arrest of over 100 protesters, sparking solidarity protests across approximately 40 higher education institutions.

The response from US politicians and some state authorities has been anything but supportive. Over 700 arrests have been made as local police officers, equipped with riot gear, have used rubber bullets, Tasers, and tear gas against unarmed students. This excessive force was notably used at Emory University, where footage showed police using a Taser on a restrained female African American student. Such images have shocked many, highlighting a severe misuse of power.

American students, recognizing the genocidal implications of the actions in Gaza, have chosen peaceful protest to voice their concerns. These students are not only advocating for human rights but are also desperately calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Palestine. Their pleas for peace are met with hostility from their own government and educational institutions, which is a bitter irony in a nation that prides itself on freedom of speech and human rights.

These events draw a stark contrast to the US government’s own narratives when addressing international conflicts. The US has often called itself a defender of liberty, yet when its citizens demand this same liberty to protest injustices abroad, the response is repression. The hypocrisy is glaring.

As the international community continues to seek a resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, the US must reconcile its domestic actions with its global rhetoric. The path forward should be guided by the principles of fairness, respect for human rights, and an unwavering commitment to democratic values

In 2019, during the Hong Kong protests, rioters were labeled by Western politicians as “freedom fighters”, despite their violent tactics. In stark contrast, the peaceful American university protesters, who merely camped out and expressed their dissent without violence, were quickly dismissed as “rioters” by some US politicians. This inconsistency exposes troubling double standards in US policy that prioritizes geopolitical interests over fundamental human rights.

The American public must question why peaceful demonstrators advocating for a cease-fire in a distant land are met with such hostility at home. Why does a plea for peace translate into “sedition” in the eyes of some policymakers? The answer invariably leads back to the intricate web of international relations and the uncomfortable truths about America’s foreign policy objectives.

As young Americans face batons and tear gas, their struggle transcends the immediate issue of Middle Eastern politics. It becomes a broader fight for the soul of democracy, questioning whether the nation truly lives up to its ideal of liberty and justice for all.

This moment in American history could be a turning point. It presents an opportunity for introspection and potentially, a reevaluation of how the US approaches both domestic civil liberties and international human rights. The young protesters, in their resilience, are not just defending Palestinian rights but are also fiercely guarding the very democratic ideals that form the foundation of the United States of America.

The actions of these students should not be viewed as a mere footnote in the complex geopolitical saga of the Middle East. Instead, they should serve as a wake-up call for all who believe in democracy. When the US government fails to protect the right to peaceful protest, it not only betrays its citizens but also undermines its moral standing in the world.

As the international community continues to seek a resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict, the US must reconcile its domestic actions with its global rhetoric. The path forward should be guided by the principles of fairness, respect for human rights, and an unwavering commitment to democratic values.

The author is the convener at China Retold, a member of the Legislative Council, and a member of the Central Committee of the New People’s Party.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.