Israel in 2023 is experiencing a frighteningly familiar trajectory towards a power-grabbing, fascist, and racist system, reminiscent of South Africa in 1948. It feels like I’m watching a replay of a horrifying movie. As a teenager in Cape Town, I witnessed the distorted results of the 26 May election on a giant board on a newspaper building. The winner-takes-all electoral system favored the Afrikaner Nationalist party, even though they received fewer votes than the opposition. Similarly, in Israel’s last November election, the rightwing bloc claimed victory by a mere 0.6% of the vote, but declared it represented the will of the majority.
While South Africa had a form of democracy for its white population, non-whites faced heavy racial discrimination in all aspects of their lives. In Israel, although Arabs can vote, they still suffer from discrimination. Muslims and Christians are exempt from military service, which excludes them from certain benefits. Moreover, non-Jews, particularly Arabs, are restricted from owning or renting land owned by the Jewish National Fund. The coalition government has even threatened to cut funding for improving poor Arab living conditions.
As someone who reported on South Africa’s apartheid system for years, I vehemently defended against the accusation that Israel is an apartheid state. However, with recent decisions such as the nation-state law that elevates Jews above other citizens and the rise of racism and discriminatory actions from government officials, the accusation is beginning to ring true. Additionally, Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and the siege of Gaza can no longer be justified by security concerns after more than five decades. The government’s plans for annexation and settlement expansion only serve to perpetuate the suffering of Palestinians.
In both South Africa and Israel, deceptive language was used to enforce discriminatory policies. In South Africa, laws were given innocent-sounding names like the “Extension of University Education Act” and the “Abolition of Passes (Coordination of Documents) Act”. Similarly, in Israel, “judicial reform” is used as a euphemism for dismantling democracy by ending judicial review and consolidating power in the hands of the executive and Knesset.
Opposition to apartheid in South Africa grew as the government implemented harsher laws and restricted personal freedoms. Likewise, Israel’s discriminatory practices are sparking outcry and resistance. Palestinians are imprisoned without trial, the army conducts raids on West Bank towns, and the national security minister aims to pass a law allowing arbitrary arrests. The ultra-Orthodox, aligned with Likud and religious nationalists, are exerting increasing control over education, marriage, and other aspects of Israeli society.
South Africa faced international condemnation, boycotts, and economic decline due to its apartheid policies. Israel must take heed of this history and prevent a similar fate. The government’s actions are leading Israel down an inhumane and cruel path that goes against the principles of justice and equality. It is essential to recognize the shameful betrayal of Jewish morality and history inherent in these policies.
Ultimately, it is imperative for Israel to learn from history and resist the destructive path it is following. The nation must embrace true democracy, reject discrimination, and work towards peace and equality for all its citizens.
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