The EU against 'apartheid' in Israel

Demonstration in favor of the Palestinians, on May 15 in Nantes, France.LOIC VENANCE / AFP

The provocation began in Jerusalem, even if it was only the symptoms of deeper causes. Attempts to forcibly evict families from Sheikh Jarrah, attacks against Palestinian worshipers in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, and even against Palestinian Christians by preventing them from celebrating Easter at the Holy Sepulcher, added to a hateful demonstration, in coordination with the police and supported by several Israeli politicians, hundreds of religious Zionists chanting “death to the Arabs”, they created the context that we are witnessing today, even as far as Gaza is concerned.

But, once again, make no mistake. This is not just about a ceasefire in Gaza or preventing the eviction of Palestinian families. It is about the Palestinian people, the entire Palestinian people, that they are finally able to fulfill their inalienable rights: from ending the occupation that began in 1967 to equal rights for all citizens of the State of Israel, including Palestinian citizens who constitute around 20% of its population.

A few weeks ago, Human Rights Watch released a major report documenting how Israel is implicated in the crime against humanity that is

apartheid

. This had previously been denounced by the B'Tselem organization, Israel's leader in human rights, as well as by several Palestinian human rights organizations. Most relevant, they are referring not only to the occupied Palestinian territory but also to the system of institutionalized discrimination imposed on Palestinian citizens of Israel.

During the past weeks, Palestinian citizens of Israel have suffered harsh attacks from far-right gangs that, protected by the Israeli police, have entered Palestinian neighborhoods in cities such as Jaffa, Haifa, Acre and Lydda, provoking and violently attacking Palestinians. It was his response to the beautiful participation of thousands of Palestinian citizens in peaceful demonstrations in support of our people in Jerusalem. The incitement to hatred against us, both from the state and even by some media personalities, has contributed to creating a situation in which attacks against Palestinian citizens have taken place in workplaces, public transport and universities.

While the United Nations High Commissioner, Michelle Bachelet, expressed a clear position regarding Israel's obligations to treat Palestinian citizens as equals and to protect all citizens and residents of Israel regardless of their origin. religiously or nationally, the European Union and its member states have been largely silent about this situation. It seems as if Israel is for Europeans a democratic country like theirs, whose only problem is that of the colonial occupation of Palestine. But it is not only about that. We should be treated as full citizens, rather than this current reality in which Israel is democratic for the Jews and Jewish for the Arabs. Dozens of Israeli laws only discriminate against Arab citizens,from the right to nationality to the acquisition of property. Any attempt to justify this reality of Jewish supremacy only speaks to us of the deep racism that the lawyers of the State of Israel use against our people.

Europe has long had to make the issue of the Palestinian citizens of Israel a priority. On May 18, we launched a successful national strike under the name of "dignity," and that is what we are looking for. The strike started with a rally in Jaffa and soon spread across the country. We had only one nation, from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, claiming its rights.

There is nothing in this that Europe cannot support: it is about putting into motion the basic principles of justice, freedom and equality, which translate into ending the occupation that began in 1967 and achieving full equal rights for all citizens. of Israel regardless of their religion.

That is the only solid foundation for a just and lasting peace.

Accepting Israel's treatment of its Palestinian citizens is simply the acceptance of racial discrimination.

Ahmad Tibi

is a member of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) for the Joint List.

Translation of

Juan Ramón Azaola