Amnesty Report: No, Israel is not an apartheid state

The Amnesty report branding Israel an apartheid state is dishonest. Because historical comparisons of this kind almost always lag – also in this case. In addition, the one-sided report fuels anti-Semitic stereotypes.

To be clear: Israel is not an apartheid state. It is absurd that Amnesty International, in its most recent report on the situation in Israel and the Palestinian territories, came to the conclusion that Israel had installed an apartheid regime that systematically dispossessed and excluded Palestinians – even to the point of depopulation.

It fails to recognize the realities of a fragile region that has been struggling for peace for decades and has suffered setbacks for decades, for which one can also – but not only – blame Israel.

The term “apartheid” makes the report dubious

The fact that Amnesty International uses the term “apartheid” which is historically unique in view of South Africa’s past makes the report dubious. Historical comparisons of this kind almost always fall short.

Israel in 2022 has nothing to do with the apartheid regime that ruled South Africa for more than four decades until 1994. Or were there representatives of the black population in the governing coalition at the time? Was there a black chief justice? In Israel, an Arab party is part of the current governing coalition. For 14 years there was an Arab-born chief judge.

This proves that historical comparisons rarely apply. This should give us food for thought in times when critics of the Corona measures are shamelessly using the so-called “Star of David” on the open street to stylize themselves as victims.

Unforgivably short-sighted

The reality in the Middle East is difficult and complicated. And yes: on the Israeli side, hardliners are torpedoing the peace process, and the illegal occupation of parts of the West Bank is adding fuel to the fire. But the terror of the Palestinians has repeatedly frustrated the peace efforts – and challenged Israel’s legitimate right to self-defense. That’s the sad reality.

But the situation is not hopeless: and it is precisely this hope that the Amnesty report thwarts. One country is held responsible for the difficult conditions here. This does not exactly promote the urgently needed reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians.

And this defective and one-sided report has another fatal effect: in times when anti-Semitism is becoming socially acceptable again worldwide, when Jews have to fear for life and limb on the streets, Amnesty International promotes anti-Semitic stereotypes. Not having considered that is unforgivable.