Equating the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories to South African Apartheid is a disservice both to the Palestinian Cause and to the Progressive Movement.
By Moises F. Salinas, Ph.D.*
*Moises Salinas is author of “Planting Hatred, Sowing Pain: The Psychology of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”
As a young Jewish human rights activist growing up in Mexico in the 1980s, I can not remember a greater victory for the global human rights movement than the fight against Apartheid in South Africa. The world united in a wide-range boycott against a regime driven by a racist ideology of white supremacy, ultimately forcing a victory for the democratic movement of people like Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. Today, as a university professor in the U.S., many of my progressive colleagues are trying to rally the movement once more. This time, they explain, the fight is against the injustice of the Israeli “Apartheid” towards the Palestinians, and should be fought by supporting economic, academic and political sanctions against Israel. This time, they are entirely misguided, though. The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories is that, an occupation. And as any other military occupation, it does indeed oppress the occupied people, denying them many basic human rights, and conducive to abuses and discrimination. However, confusing it and treating it the way we fought against Apartheid is not only a mistake and an oversimplification, but ultimately a disservice for the cause of the Palestinian people. Instead, the approach should be one that promotes dialogue and reconciliation. To keep reading go to: http://www.engageonline.org.uk/blog/article.php?id=945
I spent the past summer in Israel and granted, I spent little of my time in the West Bank or the Gaza Strip, would you, or anyone for that matter, care to explain to me the rights that are being denied to the Palestinians, as well as the rationale for why (either real or fictionalized)?
Ringtoss12 said this in post #2 : would you, or anyone for that matter, care to explain to me the rights that are being denied to the Palestinians
There's the biggie - denied the right to self determination and a country of their own.
America went to war with the British over just such a state of affairs, which incidentally, has baffled scholars and historians for centuries. Why would Americans use violence to wipe the British off the face of the American map? Imagine how much more wonderful the US would be today if Americans had accepted that their country should be ruled by a far superior and much more civilised people, the British.
Kosova why is it that Israel and the US always get the blame for Palestinian sufferings?Have you ever asked yourself why are Palestinians in refugee camps for more than half a century? It’s obvious that Palestinians are suffering. What’s also obvious is how they are used a pawns by their own brothers merely to keep the conflict going.
Some one in these forums asked how Palestinians can recognize Israel when they are largely dependant on Israel for their meager existence and how this shows the power that Israel has over them.
Israel is largely the suppliers of key materials to Palestine like electric, gas & water to name a few. Imagine if you would if the Serbia was supplying KLA with these things. Seems ridiculous right? What’s equally ridiculous is how the Palestinians’ own brothers won’t allow them usage of their hospitals or education facilities or even allowed to work in their countries. Palestinians largely work in the same country they send bombers into and celebrate after the carnage.
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
Apartheid? I would like someone to give me a comparison of this conflict with apartheid please. I've even heard Israel being compared to Hitler. Aparently some people may not know what Apartheid really consisted of to make this comparison.
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
oneofpeace said this in post #5 : Israel is largely the suppliers of key materials to Palestine like electric, gas & water to name a few. Palestinians largely work in the same country they send bombers into and celebrate after the carnage.
Dumnfounding isn't it? One can only assume Palestinians don't know this because they are complete nincompoops. How ever can this be one be explained? Astonishing!?
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
first im not from kosovo but what i can say is that situation there is way too different from this one in palestine.and compare it,is stupid.people in kosovo have more rights than palestinians,and after all Kosovo is free country(in some way)and people can travel anywhere.Can Palestinians do that?
If your point is that Palestinians are suffering I agree. The question is why? While much of the blame is passed on to Israel and the US no one says anything of why Palestinians stay in squalor.
My point is that they are kept in dire straights largely because of the politics of their own brothers. In fact, Israel supplies them with more to support their survival than Arabs. At least a Palestinian can work in Israel unlike Jordan, Egypt or Lebanon who treat them as subhumans.
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
well,maybe thats truth,i dont know that because i dont live there and i dont understand the politics there like you.but answer for all is free Palestine.once when they have their own state they will find normal leadership and have normal life.finnaly!
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
Well, not completely. I think that the day that happens, if it happens there will be much in fighting and violence before it finally settles down to anything never normal.
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
Governor Bush on Kosovo war exit strategy in 99 ” Victory means exit strategy, and it's important for the President to explain to us what the exit strategy is."
President Bush on Iraq war exit strategy from 2003 to 2008. “ “
04-10-2007 08:07 PM
