Another excellent letter from NIFIs Andrew Shaw in todays Irish News Eamon McMahon s attack on Tom Kellys moderate and balanced column last week is grossly unfair and unwarranted. However I am sure Mr Kelly is more than capable of replying. The issue I wish to challenge Mr McMahon on is his claim that Israel is an apartheid state. This smear is very common at the moment. It is used by Israels detractors to delegitimise it as a pariah state. Not only does it belittle the experience of black and coloured South Africans under a true Apartheid regime it does nothing to further peace in the Middle East. Blacks and coloured South Africans were subject to exclusions based in law. Laws which denied them the right to vote, the right to freedom of association. There was no access to further education, no freedom of Press or expression. Israels 20 per cent Arab minority, by contrast, have the right to vote. There are Arab members of Parliament. There are Arab members of the Judiciary. There is a free and vibrant Arab press. Arabic is the second official language in Israel. Instead of mud slinging, the Trades Union Friends of Palestine should be encouraging dialogue. Only by talking can we move closer to mutual understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. An understanding which will hopefully lead to a peaceful two state solution. But then again something tells me Israels enemies dont want such an outcome. Andrew Shaw for more information on the Apartheid slur: bicom.org.uk/analysis-article/18870/
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 08:56:09 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015