Face of Denial

Former U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller’s recent admission to British broadcaster Sky News—that it is “without a doubt true” that Israel has committed war crimes—comes after months of firm, consistent denials by the U.S. government. This shift starkly underlines what much of the world has long asserted: that Western officials, authorities, media, and military institutions have always known what was happening in Gaza, yet have deliberately chosen to deny it in service of Israel’s military campaign—effectively facilitating what many are calling ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinian people.

Miller, known for his sarcastic smirk and dismissive tone when answering journalists’ questions, now attempts to justify his past conduct by claiming that as a spokesperson for the administration, he could not express personal views. But for much of the global public, he will be remembered as the emblematic face of denial—a spokesman who rejected allegations of genocide even as the evidence mounted and bombs continued to fall on civilians.

More significantly, Miller’s statement seems to be part of a growing trend among officials and commentators once silent or complicit, now belatedly attempting to distance themselves from the crimes. These delayed acknowledgements appear less a reflection of conscience and more an effort at reputational damage control.

However, under the Geneva Conventions and other instruments of international law, those who propagate genocidal narratives—or who deny ongoing genocide—are not exempt from accountability. The defence of “just following orders” was famously rejected at the Nuremberg trials, and it cannot shield individuals involved in today’s atrocities either.

If Miller and others truly felt that their values clashed with the administration’s stance, they had the moral obligation to resign—just as many politicians, staffers, and public figures around the world have done. Instead, Miller chose not only to continue in his role, but to do so with what appeared to be relish and indifference, casting serious doubt on the sincerity of his recent remarks.

Ultimately, no retrospective statement can absolve complicity. Matthew Miller will remain, in the eyes of many, the smirking face of denial—a spokesperson who dismissed genocide as it unfolded, and now seeks to rewrite his legacy after the damage has been done.