Parallels and Disparities: The plight of Palestinians and Blacks in apartheid regimes
By Zainab Ijaz
Rising Star Academy
(Topic: Compare and contrast the status of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories with the status of Blacks in Apartheid South Africa.)
The experiences of Black people living under apartheid in South Africa and Palestinians living under Israeli occupation are examples of the ongoing struggles of oppressed groups against discrimination throughout history. While Blacks in Apartheid South Africa and Palestinians in the Occupied Territories have different political backgrounds, there are similarities between them when it comes to systemic oppression, human right violations, and resilience in movements. These similarities indicate their ongoing struggle for justice and equality against systemic discrimination.
Black South Africans during apartheid and Palestinians in the Occupied Territories both faced systematic oppression led by those who have more power. Israeli‚Äôs used unfair laws and regulations on Palestinians in the Occupied Territories, such as restrictions on their right of movement, stealing of their land, and unfair use of resources that are necessary in everyday life. In South Africa during the time of apartheid, laws imposing racial segregation, like the legislation known as the Group Areas Act put Black people to systematic prejudice. Black people’s freedom of movement and opportunities were restricted by these laws, which negatively impacted their status inside their own country. Systemic oppression was used in both situations to protect the privilege of those in power while harming groups like Palestine and Africa.
Human right violations done by the government affected the experiences of Black South Africans during apartheid and Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. Palestinians are facing many crimes in the Occupied Territories, such as unlawful killings, unlawful arrests, and torture by Israeli military forces. The Israeli government has come under blame for using unlawful arrest, which violates the right to fair treatment by allowing arrests without going on trial. South Africa’s apartheid government used the same strategies to put down resistance and keep control over the Black people. This includes the use of laws like the Terrorism Act to silence political resistance, as well as violence and unlawful arrests used by the military forces of the apartheid. The violations of human rights in both situations show the brutality that the government oppresses on vulnerable groups in their need of power.
Palestinians in the Occupied Territories and Black South Africans during apartheid have both shown strength in the face of systematic prejudice and violations of human rights through their resistance actions. Along with protests and rioting, Palestinians have taken part in military resistance under the control of groups such as Hamas and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Blacks in Apartheid South Africa, controlled by groups like the African National Congress (ANC) planned rallies, boycotts, and strikes. Despite oppression, these movements have fought for the rights and humanity of the people they represent. These movements ended up being important in getting rid of apartheid in South Africa and continue to push the ongoing struggles in Palestine for justice.
While having different political backgrounds, Black South Africans during apartheid and Palestinians in the Occupied Territories both experienced systemic oppression, human rights violations, and resilience in movements. Both Palestine and Africa have shown determination in their need of justice and equality in the face of challenges. The dedication and strength of Black South Africans and Palestinians to face injustice and recover their rights and dignity is an example of the global struggle against systems of oppression. We are made aware of the connection between liberation struggles and our need to support those who are oppressed in their need for freedom and equality by understanding these similarities.