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A comparison not to be proud of

It is interesting how the last years have seen commentators increasingly assert that many of Israel's policies and actions are no different to those during the apartheid era in South Africa. Count Desmond Tutu and Jimmy Carter as two high-profile critics. Needless to say such claims have met with the usual retort by the Israelis that the critics are being either anti-semitic or anti-Israel or if Jewish, self-hating Jews, etc.

Now, a group of South Africans have visited Israel and the Occupied Territories and the "story" is the same - in fact, they claim that some of Israel's policies and actions are even worse than those during the times of apartheid in South Africa. The Independent reports:

"Veterans of the anti-apartheid struggle said last night that the restrictions endured by Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied territories was in some respects worse than that imposed on the black majority under white rule in South Africa.

Members of a 23-strong human-rights team of prominent South Africans cited the impact of the Israeli military's separation barrier, checkpoints, the permit system for Palestinian travel, and the extent to which Palestinians are barred from using roads in the West Bank.

After a five-day visit to Israel and the Occupied Territories, some delegates expressed shock and dismay at conditions in the Israeli-controlled heart of Hebron. Uniquely among West Bank cities, 800 settlers now live there and segregation has seen the closure of nearly 3,000 Palestinian businesses and housing units. Palestinian cars (and in some sections pedestrians) are prohibited from using the once busy streets."

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