Liza+Haddad


 * The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict: Modern Apartheid? **media type="youtube" key="R1JIa95sfbk" height="295" width="480"

The idea of social inequality amongst ethnic groups emerges in several historical accounts as a constant and diverse struggle spanning across states, continents and nations of peoples. Specifically, the issue of apartheid, or the segregation and discrimination of ethnic groups has long been a cause of concern for many activists of social justice, and regular citizens who seek justice and equality for all. Throughout history there have been many accounts of apartheid among various groups of peoples. Apartheid is a practice that separates people according to race, social class etc (Dictionary.com, 2009). Nations across the world have experienced their own apartheid issues. The United States of America dealt with the segregation of Blacks and Whites-which lead to the civil rights movement, lead by Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. The awareness of a segregated people was recognized in 1964 as the Civil Rights Act passed under United States law, granting “ relief against discrimination in public accommodations” and more importantly granting all African Americans with the same rights as all others, and recognized all races as equal (U.S Senate, 1964). Apartheid is most commonly associated with the South African Apartheid. In 1913 a South African law came into effect which stated that Black Africans were no longer able to purchase, or rent land outside of designated reserve ( [|African National Congress], 1980). The inequality of the nation between its two dominant races had reached a halt when this law passed. There were physical restrictions and differences between the treatments of African Blacks and Whites ([|African National Congress], 1980). The Apartheid of people is unfortunately still occurring around the world both in and out of the public eye. The Israeli apartheid on the Palestinian people has been occurring on a large scale for several years, leading to a physical separation that keeps these people apart. The current Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing throughout history, escalating to its current conflict since 1948. This conflict originated in the late 19th century when Jewish settlers in Europe banded together for their own nation state. After Adolph Hitler’s savage attack on the Jewish race during World War II, this plea for a separate state became a top agenda for the United Nations. In 1947 the British government relinquished its hold on Palestine, releasing the topic to the United Nations for revision and for a possible solution to the ongoing battle between the Jews and Arabs (BBC News, n. d). After this issue was brought to the United Nations, they offered a solution that would split the land in three sectors consisting of 56% of the land for the Jewish settlers 43% of the land for the Palestinians and the remainder would be a united area, mainly Jerusalem (UN, 1948). This solution was accepted by the Jewish population but was rejected by the Palestinians who felt as though their rights to exist were limited and constrained (UN, 1948). After the Israeli state was created, millions of Palestinians were forced out of their homes and displaced to neighbouring countries like Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. Since 1948, the conflict has escalated to a full blown war costing the lives of many civilians all in the name of “peace”. The people caught in between this global human rights issue are the citizens of both nations. Both nations hold the right to exist, yet each feel that the other has infringed on their right. The citizens of these two nations are caught in the cross-fire between political groups and factions. These citizens are being manipulated into believing that members of the other nation are less important and less worthy of the land. In the early 1990’s, President William Clinton invited both leaders of these individual states for a meeting, which was the first major leap f peace for the region in many years. Although talks weakened and a solution was not created, an understanding amongst the leaders was reached. Fighting between these two sides have never completely halted as each side feels they have the sole right to existence. The main issue within the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the outside pressure coming from foreign nations such as the United States, Britain, and Iran amongst others. The world has taken sides, and at times has failed to enforce international laws and basic human rights, which consequently has made the conflict much worse. The Israeli apartheid against the Palestinian people is a result of a wall built to physically separate these two areas. In 2003, Israel proposed the idea of a wall that would separate Israeli land from Palestinian land; Gaza and the West Bank. Construction began on the physical barrier between Israel and the West Bank and also on the opposite side between Gaza and Israel. This barrier limits the Palestinian people living within this border to a life restricted from many necessities. In many areas, this wall completely cuts off water supplies and access to main roads that lead to hospitals and educational institutions for example. This wall is considered to be necessary by the Israeli government, yet the “ International Court of Justice has said it breaches international law” (BBC News, 2005). This wall separating two peoples is a step back in human rights, as people throughout time have fought for equal rights amongst all; irrelevant of race, religious beliefs and other differentiating factors. Sadly, most of the international population have not been aware of the extent of the current issue in this troubled land. Members of both the Israeli population and Palestinian populations are growing irritated with the instability and are advocating for a two state solution which would recognize Palestine as its own entity and preserving the Israeli right to exist. In late 2008 both sides clashed, once again bringing this issue to the top of the world ‘to-do’ list. Viscous attacks from both sides left citizens afraid of what will come. The fire from burning homes, bombs hitting streets and ground troops invading the city of Gaza have prevented food and other aids from entering the city as the apartheid wall had blocked these efforts. This wall has created a blockage of human rights as the people living within these restrictions are unable to receive the aid they need to survive. Habib states that “the barrier threatens these hospitals' continued existence” stressing how this physical barrier has created a road block in basic human rights (Habib, n.d). Adding to the blockage between the Israelis and Palestinians, this Apartheid wall, or “Racist wall” has also separated Palestinians from one another (Habib, n.d). Citizens of the West Bank are unable to cross this barricade to cross to the other jurisdiction of Palestine, Gaza. The main stakeholders in this unfortunate crisis are those living within this war torn territory. The Israeli population like the Palestinian population are forced to live in fear daily because they never know what danger lies ahead and when this danger can occur. The Israeli population fears for their ability to keep their nation while the Palestinians fear their rights of freedom, existence and the right to return to their land. This conflict weighs heavy on the minds of many as freedom is the right of all. It will take time, understanding and open minds to solve this crisis as it can not be solved with the violence and fear tactics that are currently being used. The Apartheid wall must be the first obstacle removed to ensure a step closer for freedom amongst the Palestinians and Israelis.  [|African National Congress] (1980) Extracts from paper prepared by the secretariat for the world conference of the United Nations Decade for Copenhagen. [ http://www.anc.org.za/un/womenrole.html ]    (Accessed On: February 2nd, 2009)       BBC News (n. d) A History of conflict: UN partition of Palestine    (Accessed on:  January 29th, 2009  ).  BBC News (2005) Art prankster sprays Israeli wall. (Accessed On: January 29th, 2009  ) =  Habib, Ibrahim (n. d) A Wall in the Heart: The separation Barrier and itsimpact on the right to health  (Accessed on January 29th, 2009)  = = U.S Senate (1964) Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964  (Accessed On: January 29th, 2009)    = UN (1948) Palestine -- Progress Report of the United Nations Mediator: General Assembly (Accessed on:   January 29th, 2009  <span style="font-weight: normal; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">).
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