Is Israel an Apartheid State?

Perhaps you have heard of moves to declare Zionism a "racist" ideology or you have heard it said that Israel is an "apartheid state". On the face of it, this may seem ridiculous. Isn't Israel a democracy?

For one thing, there is Israel's occupation of Palestine and its treatment of the Palestinians. That alone is enough to make Israel a particularly brutal colonial power. Visit my Palestine page to learn more about this.

But that is not all. In Israel, citizenship and nationality are two different things. Both Jews and non-Jews may have Israeli citizenship, but nationality is based on race. There is a Jewish nationality and an Arab nationality. All citizens must register with their nationality. Then Israel sets legal rights based on nationality rather than just citizenship. Here are some articles that explain more about this situation.

After you have read these, I hope you will begin to understand why words like "racism" and "apartheid" are used to describe Israel.

'Democratic' racism, by Jonathan Cook

'Democratic' racism, part 2, by Jonathan Cook

'Jews-Only' Law Sparks Firestorm, by Bradley Burston

'State lands' rule also used to expropriate West Bank territory, by Aluf Benn, Ha'Aretz

'Who is a Jew' Matters in Israel, by Sheldon L. Richman

41% of Israel's Jews favour segregation of Arabs, by Chris McGreal

70% of Israeli Jews oppose selling JNF lands to Arabs, by Amiram Barkat

Arab spouses face Israeli legal purge, by Ben Lynfield

Brothers in arms, by Chris McGreal

Call for more rights for Arab minority in Israel, by Rory McCarthy

Can you really not see?, by Amira Hass