JANIP

The Meaning of Apartheid

What do critics of Israel really mean when they use the word apartheid?
Moises F. Salinas, Ph.D.

Dr. Moises Salinas is a professor of Psychology at Central Connecticut State University. His latest book “Planting hatred, Sowing Pain: The Psychology of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict” (Greenwood/Praeger) will appear in May.

Many critics of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian people, as evidenced in the recent Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s new book “Palestine Peace, Not Apartheid,” have taken to criticize Israel as an “apartheid state,” the security barrier/wall Israel has been building over the past three years as an “apartheid wall,” and the policies of the state as “apartheid policies.” Now, while I am personally against not only Israeli policies in the Palestinian territories, but the mere fact that there is an occupation, I was really troubled by the use of the term “apartheid” when referring to the occupation. As a psychologist and as an academic, I can not be content, as many commentators have done, by simply explaining the use of the term as a politically convenient one, that was chosen by the opponents of Israeli rule over the Palestinian people because it is flamboyant and emotionally charged, and therefore made “promotional” sense. So, I had to ask myself, what true meaning is hiding behind the use of the term apartheid? (more…)

1 comment January 31st, 2007 Posted by Moises

Progressive Jews who care about Israel and Palestine need to make our voices heard on campus

Too often, the rhetoric around Israel and Palestine on campus is polemical, rigid and one-sided. The advocates for each side generally do not think about the legitimate national rights of the other community. We throw facts at each other to demonstrate that the other side is wrong and does not have legitimacy. In this heated debate, many progressive Jews who do not see a contradiction in being pro-Israel and pro-Palestine have been silent. We are frustrated by both sides and are often mischaracterized by both. The pro-Palestinian side sees us as apologists for Israel while the pro-Israeli side tells us that we hate ourselves and that we are putting Israel in harm’s way. Though we may talk vaguely about the need for peace, we often do not speak out against the Occupation or the ways in which the Israeli government miss opportunities for peace because we see Israel under attack.

It is time for us to find our voice and stop being silent.

If anything has forced me to find my voice, it is the recent controversy around the Union of Progressive Zionists and the Israel on Campus Coalition. (more…)

Add comment January 30th, 2007 Posted by Chris

Juan Cole denied position at Yale

June 2006: Controversial academic shot down for appointment; was campaign against him politically motivated?

Continue Reading Add comment January 3rd, 2007 Posted by Ron