Global rights group accuses Israel of apartheid, persecution

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By JOSEPH KRAUSS

JERUSALEM (AP) — One of the world’s best-known human rights groups said Tuesday that Israel is guilty of the international crimes of apartheid and persecution because of discriminatory policies toward Palestinians within its own borders and in the occupied territories.

In a sweeping, 213-page report, the New York-based Human Rights Watch joins a growing number of commentators and rights groups who view the conflict not primarily as a land dispute but as a single regime in which Palestinians — who make up roughly half the population of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza — are systematically denied basic rights granted to Jews.

Israel adamantly rejects that characterization, saying its Arab minority enjoys full civil rights. It views Gaza, from which it withdrew soldiers and settlers in 2005, as a hostile entity ruled by the Islamic militant group Hamas, and it considers the West Bank to be disputed territory subject to peace negotiations — which collapsed more than a decade ago.

Human Rights Watch focused its report on the definitions of apartheid and persecution used by the International Criminal Court, which launched a probe into possible Israeli war crimes last month. Israel rejects the court as biased.



FILE - This June 30, 2020, file photo, shows a view of the West Bank Jewish settlement of Ma'ale Efrayim in the Jordan Valley. One of the world's best-known human rights groups says Israel is guilty of the international crimes of apartheid and persecution. Human Rights Watch cites discriminatory policies toward Palestinians within Israel's own borders and in the occupied territories. In so doing, the New York-based group joins a growing number of commentators and rights groups that consider Israel and the territories as a single entity in which Palestinians are denied basic rights that are granted to Jews. (AP Photo/Oded Balilty, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/west-bank-race-and-ethnicity-middle-east-israel-jerusalem-7fc491f53d6e659d7fb9657e76747d03

[Mad Kirrua]

1. HRW is Absolutely Right

Twenty-first century Israel has become 1980s South Africa, which is why I support the unconstitutionally-criminalized BDS movement.

[Lonestarblue]

2. HRW is correct.

The West Bank is not disputed territory. With the creation of Israel, the West Bank was clearly set aside for Palestinians. Israel has been stealing parts of the West Bank for decades now. And by forcing more Palestinians off their land and into Gaza, Israel has made Gaze practically unlivable because its fresh water sources are become increasingly saline since it was never intended to support so many people crowded into a small territory.

Months ago, I was thoroughly disgusted at hearing an NPR interview of an Israeli official on their vaccination process. First, they would vaccinate every Israeli Jew, then the Arabs who live within Israel, then the Palestinians who work in Israel and come into contact with Israelis, and then they would consider whether it would be necessary for them to vaccinate Palestinians—who are essentially under their control because Israel control all borders and decides what comes into Palestinian areas. So they were fine with allowing Covid to rampage through the Palestinians so long as none of them would come into contact with an Israeli.

[EX500rider]

3. "because Israel control all borders" You mean except the border Gaza has with Egypt? nt

[stevil]

4. Oh snap

[Lonestarblue]

5. For years, there was no border open between Gaza and Egypt.

Whether that was because Egypt did not want to alienate Israel or simply did not want a border crossing is part of the incredibly complex relationships in that area. The border was closed for years, then would open sporadically. It is now open again as of early February, so my knowledge was out of date. Israel built a military border around Gaza, and the only crossing to Egypt was at Rafah, which was controlled by the Egyptian military. That border crossing is now open.

[EX500rider]

6. Yes Egypt had good reasons for closing it and it wasn't to keep Israel happy.

Seems they frown on terrorists groups smuggling weapons and fighters across their border and creating havoc. Same reason Israel has a "military border" with Gaza.

[Mosby]

7. The Arabs rejected partition and the creation of Palestine.

They wanted it all.

The war against the Zionists failed.

[notinkansas]

8. Given the history of Jewish people and the persecution they endured,

I cannot understand how they justify their treatment of the Palestinians. Their behavior mirrors many of the injustices they have suffered in the past.