As the rhetoric of Israeli crimes against Palestine continue to intensify and gain worldwide support, connections to South Africa are also gaining strength. Many pundits and political regimes alike are comparing the apartheid regime in South Africa with Israel’s political agenda and regime. One such article referencing this connection, is this Electronic Intifada posting. In this article, the author references a 2009 report released by the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa (HSRC). The HSRC, composed of a team of international parties and funded by the Government of South Africa, investigated the actions of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Working through the internationally recognized definitions, the team identified examples of Israel conducting both such behaviors, apartheid and colonialism, throughout the OPT.

Agreeing that social injustices were being performed, human rights activist Benjamin Pogrund disagreed with the above report and the labeling of such activities as “apartheid.” In this Times of Israel article, author Raphael Ahren interviewed Pogrund and broached the subject of apartheid in Israel. Pogrund, a staunch supporter against apartheid and one of Nelson Mandela’s strongest allies, begins his interview by addressing his involvement in South Africa’s revolution of its apartheid regime. Grossly familiar with the topic then, Pogrund continues on to address the current actions of Israel. While he stated that he did find Israel’s actions atrocious, and did agree with the colonialism label, Pogrund disagreed with the apartheid label for one main reason: intentionality. In this interview, Pogrund argues that Israel’s actions are not apartheidistic as they are not ideologically aiming to discriminate against Palestine.

As I’ve moved through this blog, and the underlying issue of a single or two-state solution, I’ve become increasingly aware of the injustices carried out by both sides. As solutions are thrown about with the same frequency of armed struggles between the two nations, increasingly strong rhetoric is being used to define the actions of the rival state. While I firmly believe that Palestine, and especially Hamas, is a far cry away from being innocent in this debacle, I strongly believe that Israel is continuing to increase both the quantity and scope of injustices placed upon the nation and people of Palestine. It is therefore of no surprise to me that connections between the apartheid regime in South Africa and Israel are becoming more and more prevalent. While my beliefs of colonialism by Israel are shared by many, the claims, and my belief, of apartheid actions are sadly less universal. While I’m glad that many can attest to the severity of injustices brought forth by Israel, the fact that the label is argued about due to technicalities of intentionality are saddening. Yet, as Pogrund points out in his interview, the technicalities of labeling are moot when all sides agree to the basis of actions. “You’re all lying, you’re all doing horrible things, and you’re all pointing the finger of blame at the other. And you’re all to blame. We’re all to blame.” he states. It is this crucial step that must be taken by the leaders of both sides before any such solution, or a simple peace agreement, can be ironed out. So in the end, is Israel an apartheid state? Likely yes. And if you don’t agree with that label, but can agree with the atrocities committed, then we shall set aside our labeling differences and work towards a solution.