Apartheid: Then and Now
By Asad Khaja , MD
Torrance , CA
On ESPN last Friday , images of the opening game of the World Cup in South Africa appeared on my TV screen and I heard the commentator remark regarding South Africa’s 'racial unity and harmony that hasn't been seen here in years'. I even saw Desmond Tutu dancing jubilantly at the onset of the festivities. Who would have thought this show of unity in the strifeful country that was plagued by racism and apartheid just a few years ago. Only 16 short years ago, after corporate interest put its voice behind the anti-apartheid struggle, was that barbaric system dissolved.
The foundation of the Bantustans in the 1950's effectively segregated the black and white population of South Africa allocating 13% of South African land to the blacks. In Israel , the West Bank and Gaza make up a total of 22% of Israeli-
administered land. Under the Oslo Accords of 1993, self-government of only parts of the Palestinian territories was allowed. The use of 'Jewish only' roads, the illegal wall, continually expanding Israeli settlements on Palestinian land, misappropriation of Palestinian water, and the limiting of movement of the Palestinians throughout their own territories are only a few examples. According to the citizenship and entry into Israel law passed by the Knesset in July of 2003, Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza are not allowed acquisition of Israeli citizenship through marriage.
The Bantustans afforded the black populations which lived amongst them some form of economic viability. Massive subsidies would flow into the local governments to keep them afloat. In Israel, money is pilfered from the occupied territories . Curiously, there was actually a military ordinance that no development would be allowed in the West Bank and Gaza if it would be competitive with Israeli business interests. Palestinian workers from the West Bank and Gaza, comprising a large portion of the Israeli workforce, have not received the usual compensation that is afforded to their Israeli counterparts; namely- healthcare, pensions, etc. which is reportedly in excess of a billion dollars.
In 1993, one year before the abolishment of the South African system of apartheid, another system of apartheid seems to have evolved with the Oslo Accords. An apparently more racist system which is flourishing with our support, guidance, and tax dollars. Maybe there's hope. In an area of the world where bigotry and apartheid once prevailed, we can now enjoy the world’s largest spectator sporting event. This would have been unimaginable in the 70's and 80's. Perhaps, if we follow a similar timeline in the Middle East, we can envision the 2046 World Cup in a united Israel/Palestine.
