Attributing Israel's actions as akin to apartheid as practiced in South Africa years ago is bound to attract a vehement attack and accusation of being anti-Zionist or anti-semitic. Witness former President Jimmy Carter, Archbishop Tutu and Antony Loewenstein [author of My Israel Question - MUP] who were pilloried when they accused Israel of apartheid-like behaviour.
So, what does one accuse the Israeli newspaper Haaretz of being when it editorialises about a recent report on Israel's human rights and suggests that Israel is doing "nothing to stop the entrenchment of apartheid policies in the territories?".
"The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations 60 years ago this week, provides a good opportunity to take stock of the state of mankind throughout the world. A report issued yesterday by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel is a disturbing reminder of this country's standing.
The report cites a gross violation of human rights, to the point that threatens Israeli democracy. What is especially striking are the inequities suffered by Arab citizens in the areas of infrastructure, education and health, among others. Such blatant discrimination contradicts the principle of equality to which Israel is committed in its Declaration of Independence."
And:
"Turning toward the issue of what is unfolding beyond the Green Line, the report notes the significant increase in settler violence against Palestinians. Only a minority that are investigated by the police result in indictments. The report states that in most instances, the police do not even launch an investigation, which harms the foundations of the rule of law. This reality contravenes the State of Israel's obligations under international law, and arouses serious concern that Israel is doing nothing to stop the entrenchment of an apartheid policy in the territories."
Meanwhile, this damning condemnation of Israel's actions in relation to Gaza and the human tragedy that reflects in a piece on Information Clearing House "How Gaza Offends Us All":
"The United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have all condemned Israel's blockade as "cruel". Former US president Jimmy Carter has made no apology for vividly describing the situation in Gaza as "a heinous atrocity" amounting to nothing short of a war crime. The question that must be asked is: what government in the 21st century can deny another group of people their basic human rights, that is, the right to security, food, water, shelter and dignity? Additionally, how does this government commit such a grave crime against humanity and somehow manage to remain complete unscathed?
The agonizing slow death order placed on the Palestinian people is finding its first victims in more than 400 seriously ill patients being prevented from leaving Gaza to receive urgent medical attention in Israeli or Arab hospitals. We are witnessing the type of ghetto the world thought we would never see again. The comparison was presented earlier this year by none other than Israel's deputy defense minister Matan Vilnai, when he threatened "a bigger holocaust (shoah)" against the Palestinians in Gaza. He would later "explain" his usage of the word as meaning "disaster". In any case, the threat was ominous enough."
So, what does one accuse the Israeli newspaper Haaretz of being when it editorialises about a recent report on Israel's human rights and suggests that Israel is doing "nothing to stop the entrenchment of apartheid policies in the territories?".
"The anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations 60 years ago this week, provides a good opportunity to take stock of the state of mankind throughout the world. A report issued yesterday by the Association for Civil Rights in Israel is a disturbing reminder of this country's standing.
The report cites a gross violation of human rights, to the point that threatens Israeli democracy. What is especially striking are the inequities suffered by Arab citizens in the areas of infrastructure, education and health, among others. Such blatant discrimination contradicts the principle of equality to which Israel is committed in its Declaration of Independence."
And:
"Turning toward the issue of what is unfolding beyond the Green Line, the report notes the significant increase in settler violence against Palestinians. Only a minority that are investigated by the police result in indictments. The report states that in most instances, the police do not even launch an investigation, which harms the foundations of the rule of law. This reality contravenes the State of Israel's obligations under international law, and arouses serious concern that Israel is doing nothing to stop the entrenchment of an apartheid policy in the territories."
Meanwhile, this damning condemnation of Israel's actions in relation to Gaza and the human tragedy that reflects in a piece on Information Clearing House "How Gaza Offends Us All":
"The United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have all condemned Israel's blockade as "cruel". Former US president Jimmy Carter has made no apology for vividly describing the situation in Gaza as "a heinous atrocity" amounting to nothing short of a war crime. The question that must be asked is: what government in the 21st century can deny another group of people their basic human rights, that is, the right to security, food, water, shelter and dignity? Additionally, how does this government commit such a grave crime against humanity and somehow manage to remain complete unscathed?
The agonizing slow death order placed on the Palestinian people is finding its first victims in more than 400 seriously ill patients being prevented from leaving Gaza to receive urgent medical attention in Israeli or Arab hospitals. We are witnessing the type of ghetto the world thought we would never see again. The comparison was presented earlier this year by none other than Israel's deputy defense minister Matan Vilnai, when he threatened "a bigger holocaust (shoah)" against the Palestinians in Gaza. He would later "explain" his usage of the word as meaning "disaster". In any case, the threat was ominous enough."
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