“Israel is a parliamentary democracy with legal safeguards against racial discrimination. While critiques are valid, a sober examination shows that the term “apartheid” doesn’t hold up. Arab citizens participate actively in government, business, academia, medicine, pop culture and more.”
- Racial Discrimination: Israel has no laws that discriminate or classify by ethnicity. Arab Israelis have full equal rights under the law. Example: In the 2021 Knesset elections, the United Arab List party became a pivotal part of the governing coalition, highlighting the significant role Arabs play in Israel’s political landscape.
- Segregation: There are no laws mandating segregation in public facilities. Arab and Jewish Israelis study, ride buses, receive medical treatment, and more together. Arabs and Jews also live in mixed cities like Haifa, Jaffa, Ramle, Lod, Acre, among others. Example: Initiatives like the “Hand in Hand” schools aim for integrated, bilingual education for Arab and Jewish children.
Citizenship: Arab citizens of Israel have full equal citizenship rights. Example: Arab voter turnout in Israel is over 80%. An Arab party is currently part of the governing parliamentary coalition.
- Legal System: Arab citizens can vote, hold office, and serve at all levels of government. 17 Arab lawmakers currently serve in the Knesset. Example: An Arab justice even sits on the Supreme Court. In 2020, Justice George Kara, an Arab Christian, was a prominent member of the Central Elections Committee, responsible for overseeing national elections.
- Education System: No legally segregated school systems. Arab Israelis have access to the same public schools and healthcare as Jewish Israelis. Arab and Jewish students attend the same secular and religious public schools. Israel’s top universities have Arab students and faculty. While disparities exist, there are no laws prohibiting Arab Israelis from certain professions. Example: In 2022, Technion — Israel Institute of Technology reported that 22% of its undergraduate students were Arabs, compared to 19% a few years earlier.
- Freedom of Movement: Arab citizens have freedom of movement and residence. Arabs live in mixed cities and communities throughout Israel. The Israeli government has no “pass laws” restricting Arab Israelis from living in any part of the country.
- Marriage Laws: There are no restrictions on interfaith or interethnic marriages in Israel. Marriages performed legally abroad are also recognized.
- Removal from Homelands: Arab Israelis live in mixed cities throughout Israel. Example: Arab families reside freely in cities like Haifa, Tel Aviv-Jaffa, and Jerusalem, and there are no laws forcing them to live in separate regions.
- State Violence: Arab citizens can freely protest policies. No state-sanctioned political violence against dissidents. Arabs participate actively in civil society. Example: Protests against government policies, like the 2021 demonstrations against Gaza violence, took place without state-sanctioned violence against Arab citizens.
Oh wait, you’re saying bc an area of land that isn’t a real country and can’t govern itself bc they let terrorists run their land wants the one that does exist not to exist and that makes it apartheid. Which one has killed ppl solely bc of their race here recently?
Interesting, I guess if any country on earth I'm not a citizen of won't let me just walk in and have my way with the place I can just scream it's somehow apartheid.