Ken M Sweeney1d ago
The term "apartheid" is often used to describe both #Rhodesia (1965–1979) and #Israel. But how similar are these cases? Let’s break it down:
Rhodesia was a white-minority-ruled state that explicitly institutionalized racial segregation. Its 1969 constitution reserved political power for whites, excluding the Black majority from governance. 🧵
Show threadKen M Sweeney1d ago
Israel, by contrast, is a #Jewish-majority state with a democratic system that grants voting rights to all citizens, including #Arab Israelis. However, critics argue that its treatment of #Palestinians—especially in the #WestBank and #Gaza—mirrors apartheid due to military occupation and unequal rights. 2)
Show threadKen M Sweeney1d ago
Key Similarity: Both states have faced accusations of systemic discrimination. In Rhodesia, Black #Africans were denied citizenship and land rights. In Israel, Palestinians in the occupied territories live under military law, while Israeli settlers enjoy #civilrights. 3)
Show threadKen M Sweeney1d ago
Key Difference: Rhodesia’s apartheid was legally codified for all Black citizens. Israel’s system is more complex: Arab Israelis have voting rights, but Palestinians in the West Bank/Gaza do not. Critics call this a "dual legal system." 4)
Show threadKen M Sweeney1d ago
International Response:
°Rhodesia was universally condemned, leading to sanctions and its eventual collapse.
°Israel faces criticism from the UN, human rights groups, and some countries, but retains strong allies (e.g., the U.S.). 5)
Show threadKen M Sweeney1d ago
Legal Definitions:
The 1973 UN Apartheid Convention defines apartheid as "inhuman acts committed for the purpose of establishing and maintaining domination by one racial group over another."
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have applied this to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. 6)
Show threadKen M Sweeney1d ago
Counterarguments:
°Israel’s supporters argue its security measures are temporary and necessary due to conflict, not racial domination.
°Rhodesia’s system was overtly racial; Israel’s critics focus on occupation policies, not its domestic laws. 7)
Show threadKen M Sweeney1d ago

Conclusion:

While Rhodesia’s apartheid was explicit and universal, Israel’s case is debated. The comparison hinges on whether occupation policies constitute apartheid—a question at the heart of ongoing legal and political battles. 🔚

#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine #Palestine #IsraelWarCrimes #IsraeliCrimes #Genocide #FreePalestine #FreePalestine

Show threadPeter Brown1d ago
@TheComfortableSpotPodcast the Palestinians don’t live under civil law. They live under military law and military courts.
Show threadKen M Sweeney
@peterbrown I never said they did.
Mar 27 at 3:57pmMastodon for Android
Show threadPeter Brown18h ago
@TheComfortableSpotPodcast no indeed, but even in apartheid Africa blacks and whites were theoretically under the same legal system.
Palestinians have even fewer rights than black Africans did.
Edit: as you have already said further up the thread