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South African Activist Compares Israeli Policy to Apartheid

by mtippett | April 17, 2009 at 02:09 pm

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From Tel Aviv to Al-Jalzoon Refugee Camp: 30 Miles but a World Away

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In an effort to make the case that Israeli actions in the West Bank are analogous to treatment of non-whites in aparthied ere South Africa, acitivists are painting their message on the very wall that symbolizes their oppression.

RAM, West Bank – Palestinian activists climbed wooden ladders leaning against Israeli's West Bank separation barrier Friday and carefully spraypainted in English "My dear Palestinian brothers" — the first words of what they say will turn into a letter stretching over 1.6 miles long.
The letter, composed by South African human rights activist Farid Esack, contends that Israel's treatment of Palestinians living under military rule is in some ways worse than what blacks suffered during the apartheid era in South Africa. Israel has vehemently rejected such comparisons.

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tomilaineclark

at 14:40 on April 17th, 2009

I wrote about just this sort of perspective a while back when South African activist Reverend Kelvin Sauls said that conditions for Palestinians are even worse than they were for him under apartheid- http://hrhlolita.blogspot.com/2008/09/apartheid-in-palestine-south-african.html

Paschen

at 19:00 on April 17th, 2009

I read a few articles from Namibia and Cameroon going into the same direction.

tikun

at 04:45 on April 18th, 2009

Thank god for the separation fence. It has saved many Jewish and Muslim lives preventing Terrorists from entering into Israel. BTW, over 95% of the fence is a see through fence. But no one cares to show it because that would not have the same effect. The part of the fence that is made of tall concrete barrier is near Jerusalem in the very populated area where snipers have in the past shot into Israel proper. Also, over 98% of the fence travels along the pre-67 border with Jordan. Another conveniently forgotten truth.

tikun

at 04:12 on April 20th, 2009

Fair enough. One more point though. Egypt does have the power to provide normal border crossing with Gaza. But it chooses for a variety of reasons not to do so. lately, we have found out why.

The border with Israel is under constant duress because of the aggressiveness and terror agenda of Hamas. In fact, they believe it better to have the border closed and play the victim card then have a free open border where they do not have direct control of goods and services. Unfortunately, this appears to be closer to the truth.

There will never be a one-state or binational State in place of Israel. The situation on the ground is not in the Palestinians favor over time. There must be a real attempt at the willingness to want your own State. But the actions on the ground show another story. One in which it is better to receive millions in donations and not have the need to be responsible for the care and well being of an independent state. Sad story that began with Arafat and his fat-cats.