Israel and the Apartheid Slur

By Michael Weinberg

The Israel Apartheid Week worldwide "global event" has ended and likewise the controversy has left the news headlines and op-ed pages of almost all newspapers and media outlets. But I wish to return to apartheid. Even as a Jew, and an Israeli, I do not wish a return to apartheid, in practice, but rather to closer examine this loaded, grossly distorted, and extremely misunderstood term. Apartheid bears no resemblance to the reality of day-to-day life in Israel. The planners and attendees of the 2011 Israel Apartheid Week contend that their efforts are to bring equality, peace, prosperity, and strength to a maligned and abused minority population. I was absent from the events, speeches, and symposiums as to how Israel Apartheid Week will realize such idealistic results. Any explanation how the intent to isolate Israel-based corporations, through the use of boycott, divestment, and sanctions, will suddenly yield miraculous results is absent throughout their website content. These efforts to demonize a nation of survivors, from the biblical to modern era, are.... (Read Full Article)