No, Israel is Not an Apartheid State: Here’s Why
The term “apartheid” often enters discussions about Israel, but how apt is this comparison? To address this, let’s revisit what apartheid means and contrast it with the situation in Israel, incorporating updated information.
What Defines an Apartheid State?
An “apartheid state” is characterized by systemic, institutionalized racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement. The term originated in South Africa, where laws formally enforced a system segregating black and white populations in almost every aspect of daily life. Key features typically include:
- Legalized Discrimination: Laws specifically define racial categories and prescribe rights and privileges accordingly.
- Segregation: Physical and social segregation, often in housing, education, and healthcare.
- Political Disenfranchisement: The oppressed racial group has limited or no voting rights or representation.
- Economic Disenfranchisement: Limited access to land, resources, and job opportunities for the discriminated racial or ethnic groups.
- State Violence and Coercion: Use of force to maintain the system.
South Africa Under White Rule: A Textbook Apartheid State
In apartheid South Africa, the white nationalist government explicitly encoded racial discrimination into law in order to subjugate the black majority population. The hallmarks were everywhere:
- Racial Discrimination: The Population Registration Act classified all South Africans by race. The Group Areas Act then segregated residential and business districts by race.
- Segregation: The government created separate public amenities like beaches, buses, hospitals and schools for different racial groups under the Separate Amenities Act. The Group Areas Act (1950) designated separate residential and business areas for different racial groups.
- Citizenship: Black South Africans were deprived of citizenship and forcibly removed from urban areas and crowded into isolated “Bantustans.”
- Legal Systems: Black South Africans could not vote, stand for political office, nor form political organizations. Only whites had true political representation.
- Educational Systems: The Bantu Education Act (1953) segregated educational systems with different curricula for Black South Africans.
- Freedom of Movement: Pass Laws: Black South Africans were required to carry a “passbook” and could only be in certain areas with permission.
- Marriage Laws: Prohibition of Mixed Marriages Act (1949) and Immorality Act (1950) made it illegal for individuals of different races to marry or have sexual relations.
- Removal from Homelands: Black South Africans were forcibly removed to so-called “homelands” meant to serve as separate nations, further disenfranchising them economically and politically.
- State-Sponsored Violence: Harsh crackdowns, imprisonment, and even killings of anti-apartheid activists. State security forces violently suppressed any anti-apartheid activism, killing protesters like the Sharpeville massacre in 1960.
This was intentional, methodical racial oppression enforced by the full power of the state.
Why Israel Is NOT an Apartheid State
Israel is a parliamentary democracy with legal safeguards against racial discrimination. While critiques are valid, a sober examination shows that the term “apartheid” doesn’t hold up. Arab citizens participate actively in government, business, academia, medicine, pop culture and more.
Do systemic biases exist? Yes, as with any democracy wrestling with ethnic diversity and conflict. But the reality on the ground defies the apartheid label. Lets look at each of the South African categories above and contrast them with Israel’s policies:
- Racial Discrimination: Israel has no laws that discriminate or classify by ethnicity. Arab Israelis have full equal rights under the law. Example: In the 2021 Knesset elections, the United Arab List party became a pivotal part of the governing coalition, highlighting the significant role Arabs play in Israel’s political landscape.
- Segregation: There are no laws mandating segregation in public facilities. Arab and Jewish Israelis study, ride buses, receive medical treatment, and more together. Arabs and Jews also live in mixed cities like Haifa, Jaffa, Ramle, Lod, Acre, among others. Example: Initiatives like the “Hand in Hand” schools aim for integrated, bilingual education for Arab and Jewish children.
- Citizenship: Arab citizens of Israel have full equal citizenship rights. Example: Arab voter turnout in Israel is over 80%. An Arab party is currently part of the governing parliamentary coalition.
- Legal System: Arab citizens can vote, hold office, and serve at all levels of government. 17 Arab lawmakers currently serve in the Knesset. Example: An Arab justice even sits on the Supreme Court. In 2020, Justice George Kara, an Arab Christian, was a prominent member of the Central Elections Committee, responsible for overseeing national elections.
- Education System: No legally segregated school systems. Arab Israelis have access to the same public schools and healthcare as Jewish Israelis. Arab and Jewish students attend the same secular and religious public schools. Israel’s top universities have Arab students and faculty. While disparities exist, there are no laws prohibiting Arab Israelis from certain professions. Example: In 2022, Technion — Israel Institute of Technology reported that 22% of its undergraduate students were Arabs, compared to 19% a few years earlier.
- Freedom of Movement: Arab citizens have freedom of movement and residence. Arabs live in mixed cities and communities throughout Israel. The Israeli government has no “pass laws” restricting Arab Israelis from living in any part of the country.
- Marriage Laws: There are no restrictions on interfaith or interethnic marriages in Israel. Marriages performed legally abroad are also recognized.
- Removal from Homelands: Arab Israelis live in mixed cities throughout Israel. Example: Arab families reside freely in cities like Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and Jerusalem, and there are no laws forcing them to live in separate regions.
- State Violence: Arab citizens can freely protest policies. No state-sanctioned political violence against dissidents. Arabs participate actively in civil society. Example: Protests against government policies, like the 2021 demonstrations against Gaza violence, took place without state-sanctioned violence against Arab citizens.
While social and economic inequalities exist between Jewish and Arab citizens, Israel has no laws segregating housing, schools or public facilities. Interfaith marriages are legal. All citizens have access to the judicial system.
Words Matter: Let’s Have an Open, Nuanced Dialogue
The issues are complex, and they deserve thorough, nuanced discussion. Using inaccurate terms like “apartheid” only polarizes the conversation, without bringing us any closer to understanding or solutions. Therefore, it’s crucial to set the record straight with factual information and recent examples.
We should actively discuss and debate Israeli policies toward Arab citizens, Palestinians, and any allegations of discrimination. But wielding explosive terms like “apartheid” shuts down dialogue.
Legitimate issues exist, but cheap comparisons to South African apartheid are factually wrong and only antagonize and polarize. For the sake of mutual understanding, let’s shelve the rhetoric and start unpacking the nuance.
