What is apartheid?
The word "Apartheid" means "apartness." It's a policy or practice of racial segregation. The word is derived from the segregation and political, social, and economic discrimination against the non-white majority in South Africa from 1948 to 1994. Israel is often falsely accused of being apartheid in an effort to demonize the Jewish State, making Israel look so bad the international community believes it needs to act against her her right to exist.
Why Israel is not an apartheid state
Two million Israeli Arabs make up 20 percent of Israel's population—the freest Arab populationin the Middle East. It is the only country in the region where all people are guaranteed equal political and legal rights. It is also the only country in the region where theChristian population is growing.Arabs occupy senior positions in all sectors of Israeli society, from the Supreme Court and parliament to the arts and business—including women (the first Arab woman was appointd Israeli Consul Generalin Shanghai in 2022). Hundreds of Arab schools are sprinkled throughout the country. Israeli Arabs, including women, have equal voting rights.
Israel provides medical care to all people in Israel—Arabs included. In July 2023, for example, Hadassah hospital surgeons reattached an Arab boy's head after he was internally decapitatedafter being hit by a car while riding his bike.
Many Muslims—inside and outside of Israel—have made it clear that Israel is not an apartheid state but rather a model for toleration in a region filled with sectarian violence. A 2019 studyReveals 65% of Israeli Arabs are proud to be Israeli.
- A British Muslim shareshis perspective on Israelafter seeing its inclusive society for himself.
- Israel's first Bedouin diplomat describes the opportunities granted to all Israelis.(Video)
- This unique program supports talented high-school graduates from the Arab sectorin Israel. (Video)
Israel withdrew completely from the Gaza Strip in 2005, and by 2007, the area was taken over by the Hamas terrorist organization. Today Hamas brutally oppresses women, political opponents, Christians, and other minorities. There would be a Palestinian state in East Jerusalem, 97 percent of the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip if Palestinian leaders had accepted the peace offers presented to them by Israel. Much of the international aid earmarked for the Palestinian people has been siphoned offby corrupt leaders in the Palestinian Authority.
The use of the term apartheid to describe Israel diminishes and degrades the brave struggle of those who fought against apartheid in South Africa.
- Kenneth Meshoe, South African MP addresses why Israel is not an apartheid state.
- Neither truth nor justice is served by trying to equate Nelson Mandela with Yasser Arafat.
- South African Charles Abelsohn tells what real partheid was and how Israel is not.
Additional Resources
- The Status of Arabs in Israel
- Opinions of Israeli Jews and Israeli/Palestinian Arabs toward Each Other (1999–Present)(artcle)
- Israel's Arab Minority(2023 Israel Answers article)
- Israel Is a Complicated Country, Not an Apartheid State(2023 article)
- A Message for Arabs and Muslims about Israel(video)
- Israel Promotes Arab Officer, Highes Rank for Muslim(2016 video)
- Arab Muslim Twins from East Jerusalem, Now Serving in the Israel Defense Forces(2019 video)
- Can Arabs Serve in Elite Units in the IDF? (2023 video)
- Israel and the Charge of Apartheid(article)
- Is Israel a Racists, Apartheid State? (March 2023 article + video)
- 10 Reasons Israel Is Not an "Apartheid" State(2016 article)
