Introduction
Humanity faces a great and insidious challenge—not one of scarcity, nor borders, nor power, but a crisis of perception. We have fallen victim to the illusion that we are separate. This perception of separateness, seductive and pervasive, blinds us to the profound truth of our interconnectedness. We see it in our relationships, in our nations, our systems, and our choices. We call this the glamor of separateness. And it is from this misperception that suffering arises, cruelty flourishes, and peace eludes us.
The Root of the Problem
The glamor of separateness convinces us that what harms another leaves us untouched, that selfish pursuits take precedence over shared purpose, and that borders—whether physical, emotional, or ideological—divide us completely. It whispers that what happens to them does not happen to us. But this is a lie.
No act of cruelty, no exploitation, no injustice stands apart. Each one ripples through the shared fabric of humanity, sowing pain, fear, and mistrust in its wake. Cruelty, the darkest expression of separateness, is more than an act; it is a betrayal of our shared humanity. It robs both the perpetrator and the victim of dignity and corrodes the bonds that hold us together as a species.
Cruelty is a marker of evil, plain and simple—a touchstone by which we can discern the absence of goodwill, both in individuals and in nations. Acts of cruelty, whether personal or institutional, are crimes against humanity. To allow such acts is to be complicit in the perpetuation of harm, division, and isolation.
Both Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu have been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity and other violations:
- Vladimir Putin: The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin on March 17, 2023, for war crimes related to the unlawful deportation and transfer of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. These actions are considered violations under the Rome Statute1.
- Benjamin Netanyahu: On November 21, 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity and war crimes. These include the use of starvation as a method of warfare, persecution, and other inhumane acts against civilians in Gaza. The charges stem from actions taken during the conflict between Israel and Palestine2.
Footnotes
The reckless, indiscriminate and demeaning firing of public servants, especially when they are labeled as “internal enemies” or treated as dispensable garbage ,is also a form of cruelty. Such actions not only harm the individuals targeted but also erode the principles of fairness, dignity, and respect that should underpin any just society. When carried out by an imperial executive power, this behavior reflects an abuse of authority and a disregard for the humanity of those affected.
- Dehumanization: Labeling public servants as “internal enemies” strips them of their dignity and reduces them to political scapegoats. This rhetoric fosters division and fear, undermining the social fabric.
- Psychological and Professional Harm: Being publicly dismissed in a demeaning manner can cause lasting emotional and reputational damage. It also disrupts careers and livelihoods, often without just cause.
- Erosion of Trust: Such actions create a climate of fear and mistrust within public institutions, discouraging dissent, innovation, and accountability. Public servants may feel pressured to conform rather than act in the public interest.
- Weaponization of Power: When executive power is used to target individuals for political or personal reasons, it undermines the rule of law and the principles of democracy. It sets a dangerous precedent for governance based on loyalty rather than merit or justice.
- Polarization and Division: Framing dissenting voices or perceived opponents as “enemies” deepens societal divides and stifles constructive dialogue. It fosters an “us vs. them” mentality that is antithetical to unity and goodwill.
Such actions are a clear manifestation of cruelty, as they prioritize power and control over compassion and justice. They also reflect the glamor of separateness—the false belief that those in power are fundamentally different from and superior to those they govern.
To counter this type of cruelty, leaders must embrace humility, accountability, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their political alignment or role. Public servants should be treated with fairness and dignity, and any decisions regarding their employment should be based on transparent and just processes, not on personal vendettas or political expediency.
Ultimately, a society that tolerates such abuses of power risks normalizing cruelty and undermining the very principles of democracy and human rights it seeks to uphold. Rejecting this behavior is essential to fostering a culture of goodwill, justice, and true peace.
The Moral Imperative
If we wish to heal this fractured world, we must begin by rejecting cruelty in all its forms. True peace, whether between people or nations, cannot coexist with cruelty. This is not a matter of convenience or strategy; it is a moral imperative.
Peace born of transactional agreements, where diplomacy serves only self-interest, is no peace at all. Such negotiations merely postpone conflict, build resentment, and fail to address the root cause. Only goodwill—the genuine wish for others’ well-being—provides the foundation for lasting interpersonal and international harmony.
Goodwill is by its nature incompatible with cruelty. Where there is goodwill, there is empathy; where there is empathy, there is understanding; where there is understanding, there is connection. Goodwill transforms the illusion of separateness into the lived reality of unity.
There is a tension between pragmatic compromises and the moral imperative to reject cruelty in all its forms. This tension is at the heart of many ethical dilemmas in global politics. Rejecting cruelty as a moral imperative reflects an ideal vision of how humanity should operate—one rooted in principles of justice, empathy, and interconnectedness. However, the reality of international relations often involves navigating a complex web of competing interests, power dynamics, and historical entanglements.
Challenges in reconciling these two perspectives:
- Holding Leaders Accountable: While pragmatic decisions may sometimes seem necessary, they should not come at the expense of accountability. Aligning with leaders accused of crimes against humanity risks normalizing such behavior. A principled approach would involve engaging with these leaders only to the extent necessary while simultaneously supporting mechanisms for justice and accountability.
- Transparency and Advocacy: A U.S. president or any leader who aligns with criminal figures should be transparent about their reasons and actively advocate for human rights and justice in parallel. This could involve using diplomatic channels to push for reforms or humanitarian actions while maintaining strategic relationships.
- Long-Term Vision: Compromises made for short-term gains should not undermine long-term goals of fostering a world free from cruelty and injustice. Leaders must ensure that their actions align with a broader vision of peace and human dignity, even if progress is incremental.
- Public Accountability: Citizens and global communities play a crucial role in holding their leaders accountable. By demanding consistency between principles and actions, they can push for policies that prioritize moral imperatives over convenience.
Ultimately, the ideal of rejecting cruelty in all its forms must remain the guiding star, even when navigating the murky waters of realpolitik. Compromises may occur, but they should always be scrutinized and challenged to ensure they do not erode the foundational principles of justice and humanity.
The Path Forward
To transcend the glamor of separateness, we must choose to see differently. This is both a personal and a collective responsibility.
- Awaken to Connection: Recognize our shared humanity. See others not as “them” but as extensions of ourselves. Understand that each action, no matter how isolated it seems, contributes to the whole.
- Reject Cruelty: Refuse to tolerate cruelty in our homes, communities, policies, or institutions. A crime against one is a crime against all.
- Practice Goodwill: Approach conflicts, relationships, and decisions with a spirit of goodwill. Ask not what serves your ambitions but what uplifts us all. Act with empathy, guided by the principle of right human relations.
- Champion Peace: Advocate for peace built on trust, compassion, and understanding. Reject negotiations that prioritize self-interest over shared benefit. Commit to justice, fairness, and mutual respect as the foundation of agreements.
Inhumane acts of deportation—especially when they involve the mistreatment, neglect, or dehumanization of immigrants—are undeniably acts of cruelty. Such actions often strip individuals of their dignity, separate families, and expose vulnerable populations to harm, trauma, and even death. These acts are fundamentally at odds with the principles of compassion, justice, and interconnectedness that should guide humanity.
Deportations, when carried out without regard for human rights, can involve:
- Separation of Families: Tearing children away from their parents or loved ones is a profound act of cruelty that causes lasting psychological harm.
- Exposure to Danger: Deporting individuals to countries where they face violence, persecution, or extreme poverty disregards their basic right to safety and survival.
- Dehumanizing Treatment: Detaining immigrants in inhumane conditions, denying them access to basic needs like food, water, and medical care, or treating them as criminals simply for seeking a better life reflects a failure of empathy and moral responsibility.
- Violation of International Law: Many deportations violate international agreements, such as the 1951 Refugee Convention, which obligates nations to protect those fleeing persecution.
If we are to reject cruelty in all its forms, then the treatment of immigrants and refugees must be a central concern. Policies and actions that dehumanize or harm these individuals are not only cruel but also undermine the moral fabric of societies that claim to value human rights and dignity.
A humane approach to immigration would involve:
- Ensuring due process and fair treatment for all individuals.
- Providing safe and dignified conditions for those in detention.
- Offering asylum and refuge to those fleeing danger, in line with international obligations.
- Addressing the root causes of migration, such as conflict, poverty, and climate change, to reduce the need for people to flee their homes.
In short, inhumane deportations are a glaring example of the glamor of separateness—the false perception that we are not interconnected. To heal this fractured world, we must extend compassion and justice to all, including immigrants and refugees.
MANIFESTO
A Call to Action
The time to act is now. The glamor of separateness, though powerful, is not unbreakable. Each of us has the power—and the responsibility—to challenge it.
To individuals, we say this: See your neighbor as yourself. Speak and act with kindness. Refuse to contribute to systems or behaviors that uphold cruelty. Voice compassion where you see division. Build bridges where others build walls.
To nations, we say this: Peace cannot be achieved through domination, exploitation, or coercion. True greatness lies not in power but in the ability to lead through goodwill and justice. Reject cruelty as policy. Make dignity for all your highest priority.
Our Pledge
We pledge to reject the glamor of separateness. We pledge to uproot cruelty and sow compassion. We pledge to nurture goodwill and right human relations, knowing that only through such efforts can true and lasting peace be achieved.
Together, we are not separate. Together, we are bound by an invisible thread of shared existence. And together, we can overcome. This is the truth that will guide us forward. May we never turn away from it again.
United in truth. United in goodwill. United for peace.
What do Trump, Putin and Netanyahu share with terrorists?
It would be fair to say that acts of cruelty—whether through policies, rhetoric, or actions—can serve as a common link among figures like Trump, Putin, Netanyahu, and terrorist groups, albeit in different contexts and magnitudes. While their motivations, methods, and scales of influence differ, cruelty often manifests as a tool to consolidate power, suppress dissent, or achieve political and ideological goals.
1. Use of Fear and Division
- Trump: His rhetoric often relied on fearmongering and divisive language, targeting immigrants, political opponents, and marginalized groups. Policies like family separations at the border exemplify institutional cruelty.
- Putin: His regime has been marked by brutal crackdowns on dissent, suppression of free speech, and military aggression, such as the invasion of Ukraine, which has caused immense suffering.
- Netanyahu: Policies toward Palestinians, including blockades, military actions, and settlement expansions, perpetuate systemic cruelty and human rights violations.
- Terrorist Groups: These groups often use extreme violence, fear, and dehumanization to achieve their ideological aims, targeting civilians and fostering chaos.
2. Dehumanization of Opponents
All these actors have, at times, dehumanized their perceived enemies—whether immigrants, political rivals, ethnic groups, or entire nations. This dehumanization justifies acts of cruelty by framing them as necessary or even righteous.
3. Consolidation of Power Through Oppression
Cruelty is often wielded as a tool to silence opposition and maintain control. Whether through authoritarian crackdowns, discriminatory policies, or violent acts, the goal is to suppress dissent and reinforce dominance.
4. Disregard for Human Suffering
A common thread is the willingness to inflict or tolerate suffering to achieve political or ideological objectives. This disregard for human dignity and well-being is a hallmark of cruelty.
5. Erosion of Moral and Ethical Norms
By normalizing cruelty, these actors contribute to a broader erosion of moral and ethical standards in governance and society. This creates a dangerous precedent where power is prioritized over compassion and justice.
The Broader Implication
Cruelty, in any form, undermines the possibility of peace, justice, and unity. Whether it comes from state leaders or non-state actors, it perpetuates cycles of suffering and division. Recognizing this common link is crucial for holding all actors accountable and fostering a global culture that prioritizes empathy, dignity, and the rejection of cruelty in all its forms.
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