What is apartheid and why do some accuse Israel of it? | Start Here

In the past, apartheid was only associated with South Africa. Now, it’s a label that some attach to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. So what is apartheid? How did it work in South Africa? And why is it now being used in the context of Israel? #AJStartHere with Sandra Gathmann explains.


Chapters:
00:55 - The origins of apartheid in South Africa
01:50 - South Africa’s apartheid laws
02:05 - How apartheid affected all aspects of life in South Africa
03:55 - The anti-apartheid movement in South Africa
04:37 - International opposition to apartheid in South Africa
05:48 - Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid
06:27 - Apartheid as a crime against humanity under international law
07:39 - Why some rights group say Israel practises apartheid
08:19 - The accusation that Israel practises apartheid in the occupied Palestinian territories
10:45 - Why some say the apartheid label applies to Israel itself
12:40 - How the Israeli government rejects the apartheid accusation
13:36 - Parallels between today’s pro-Palestine protests and the anti-apartheid campaigns in South Africa

This episode features:
Thula Simpson, associate professor of history at the University of Pretoria
Sanet Solomon, political science lecturer at the University of South Africa
Jonathan Kuttab, international human rights lawyer and co-founder of the Palestinian rights group Al-Haq
Akiva Eldar, Israeli political analyst

#SouthAfrica #SouthAfricaApartheid #Explained #NelsonMandela #Mandela #ANC #AfricanNationalCongress #SouthAfricaPolitics #Politics #Apartheid #Palestine #Gaza #Israel #IsraelPalestineConflict

Follow Sandra Gathmann on Instagram and X: @SandraGathmann
And let us know in the comments if there’s a topic you find confusing and would like Start Here to cover ⤵️

[aljazeeraenglish]

Watch our recent episode explaining the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine ⤵

And you can find the full Start Here playlist with all our episodes here ⤵

[Desfleeding]

As a South African born into apartheid and having been subjected to it, what Palestinians are experiencing is infinitely worse. It's apartheid on steroids. We had violence gunshots and segregation but we didn't have bombs fighter jets and white phosphorus used on us as civilian population. When Palestine is liberated they would have to coin a new word for what they have experienced because they truly have suffered so much more

[resurrectedone]

“The people of South Africa will never forget the support of the state of Israel to the apartheid regime.” ~ Nelson Mandela on being released in 1990

[imogen]

During Apartheid, Nelson Mandela was labeled a terrorist. In fact, Mandela remained on U.S. terrorist watch lists until 2008. Israel benefited from Apartheid by going around the arms embargo by supplying weapons to the South African government.

[kernboucher]

As a South African we have sent this before but Apartheid in Israel is on steroids..Apartheid South Africa also had Israeli, UK and USA support..

[alexvisser]

This is what prominent South Africans said about Israeli Apartheid. Please note that these statements were made at least ten years ago. Since then, the situation for Palestinians has become drastically worse.

'Apartheid for South Africans was a picnic compared to what we have witnessed in the occupied territories'

Baleke Mbate

Former Deputy President of South Africa

'It is hard to describe what I am feeling. What i see here is worse. Worse. Worse than everything we endured'

Nozizile Madalala

Former South African Minister of Health


'Apartheid for Palestinians is worse than conditions for blacks under the Apartheid regime in South Africa'

Kgalema Motlante

Former President of South Africa

'I support the Palestinian struggle against Israeli Apartheid because it is what my grandfather would want me to do'

Mandla Mandela


'To equate what is going on in Israel today with South Africa when South Africa was under Apartheid laws is a gift to Israel '

Naom Chomski

[chemophile]

Aparthied means overcontrol of every possible resource, travel, and movement. It's an inability to live and move freely. It's about having an outside force that controls every asset of your life and society. They decide how much electricity and water you get. The banking system is also competitive captured and monitored by occupied group. If someone wants to send money to oppressed nation then he needs to send this money to occupiers and occupiers will decide whether this money should go to oppressed nation or not.

[marcellemars]

How is Israel while committing genocide in Gaza, is allowed to compete in the Olympics?

[OldBaldWookiee]

I dont see how anyone can "both sides are bad" this situation while knowing all the history context and facts. Its crazy how effective the propaganda has been on some people

[MEDSimplified]

How is Sandra getting more and more beautiful with each passing episode❤❤❤

[GeoffreyAngapa]

It's good to hear Madiba's words.

[sabrinasanford]

Well the grandaddy was called Jim Crow…. Which now is proud to see it’s grandson all grown up and carrying on the legacy

[syedabuhuraira]

Freedom is an imperishable birthright of all.

[redacted]

Respect to South Africa, standing against injustice as, I'm ashames to say, my country remains coming complicent.

[syedabuhuraira]

"Start Here" Is My Top Choise ❤❤❤🇵🇰

[KingMob.]

If it looks like apartheid, talks like apartheid, and acts like apartheid, feels like apartheid... Well, it's apartheid.

[jebatomar]

RESPECT AND SALUTE TO SOUTH AFRICA 🇿🇦 🫡

[qariasarah]

Please keep uploading every week please. I am always waiting for your new episode. Thank soooo muchhh for these series!!!!❤ Also FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸

[AneleMenzi-to]

Free Palestinian people 😢😢😢# stop the war

[troygaspard]

I realized this when I met two South Africans on a Greek island in 1988. At that time, most European countries wouldn't grant them visas. They informed me that Israel was a common vacation destination for South Africans. It made me think about what South Africa and Israel had in common..