He was responding to a question about the cancellation of his exhibition by the Lisson Gallery in London in November following comments on social media referencing the Israel-Hamas conflict.
His post, which was subsequently deleted, suggested the “sense of guilt around the persecution of the Jewish people” had been transferred and used against the Arab world.
Referring to his own family’s exile when he was one year old, the activist said: "I grew up within this heavy political censorship.
“I realise now, today in the West, you are doing exactly the same.”
He drew parallels with the disastrous purge under Mao, which took China to the brink of anarchy.
Criticising the suspension of two New York University professors for comments related to Gaza, Ai said: "This is really like a cultural revolution, which is really trying to destroy anybody who have different attitudes, not even a clear opinion.
Ai’s art often addresses political issues in China and he has frequently criticised Beijing’s record on human rights and democracy.
It’s even worse. Western censorship and spying are very strong, just like China. However many in the west have fallen for all the western propaganda without critical thinking. In China, they get propaganda fed to them as well but being less isolationist they seek out more information even if they don’t say it. Whereas Americans specifically will shout propaganda they heard and didn’t even understand from the rooftops and not care to educate themselves at all.
Ah yes, the great firewall, the epitome of free speech and globalism.
Americans believe that racism ended because Rosa Parks sat on the back of a bus. And that Nelson Mandela ended Apartheid with a hunger strike in prison.
The Chinese and Russians are jealous of how brainwashed Americans are
this guy has never spoken to an American