Israel is Apartheid? “LOL”

     There are several phrases in English we use to express disbelief when we hear something so ridiculous that it defies all logic and reason. The basic one is the knee-jerk: “say what?!?” often accompanied by a facial expression somewhere between utter disbelief and having just bitten into a lemon. More sophisticated reactions are: “No way!”; “Are you kidding me?” or the less-than-kosher: “when pigs fly”. 

   Israelis use the Hebrew phrase “Hitschaktem otee” (the “ch” is guttural) – meaning: you made me laugh. Sort of like the computer-speak “LOL” – Laughing Out Loud.
  I found myself muttering this phrase often in the past few weeks with ever mounting anger and frustration over the well-orchestrated voices accusing Israel of being an “apartheid” state, like South Africa was until 1994.
   Israel has been called many things: innovative, brash, pioneering, unique, holy, caring, fascinating, historical, spiritual, annoying, enchanting, cultural, traditional, perplexing, altruistic, united, divided, protective, inclusive, apprehensive, generous, infuriating, magnanimous…etc., etc.   
   You can call Israel many things…but “apartheid” is not one of them! 
   These accusations are coming from the Palestinian, Arab and Iranian leadership, from Europe and North America, Asia, Africa, South America and even in the corridors of the UN.  They come from NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) as well as religious institutions.
   They form the basis of the growing BDS (Boycott, Divest and Sanction) movement and are the rallying cry for the new surge of anti-Semitism in Europe and South America.
   The widespread “Israel is Apartheid” offensive, culminating this week with a worldwide “Israel Apartheid Week” would perhaps be valid if the accusation was true. But it’s not true. It’s a lie.
    The Concise Encyclopedia definition of apartheid is: “(Afrikaans: “apartness” or “separateness”) Policy of racial segregation and political and economic discrimination against non-European groups in South Africa. The Group Areas Act of 1950 established residential and business sectors in urban areas for each “race” and strengthened the existing “pass” laws, which required nonwhites to carry identification papers. Other laws forbade most social contacts between those of European descent and others, authorized segregated public facilities, established separate educational standards, restricted each group to certain types of jobs, curtailed nonwhite labor unions, denied nonwhite participation in the national government, and established various black African “homelands”...
   Israel is being accused of practicing apartheid against Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. Not true. Here are some facts:

• 20% of the citizens of Israel are Arabs. The majority are Sunni Muslims. 
• They have equal legal, occupational, civil, residential, movement and business rights as the Jewish citizens.
• There are absolutely no restrictions on where Israeli Arabs can live, work, vacation or travel
• Many serve in the IDF 
• They are members of Israel’s parliament and serve as government ministers
• Salim Joubran, an Israeli Arab, is a permanent Justice on Israel’s Supreme Court
• Israeli Arabs serve as ambassadors and consul generals around the world
• The head of one of Israel’s largest hospitals is an Arab. 
• The President of Achva College at Ben Gurion University is a Bedouin.
• Arabs head University departments and are tenured professors.
• Israelis overwhelmingly chose an Arab woman on the “Next Top Model” reality TV show.
• The 2013 winner of Israel’s “The Voice” is an Arab female singer.
• Israeli Arab Miri Anwar Awad represented Israel in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, in Hebrew and Arabic. 
• Rana Raslan, a Sunni Moslem, was the 1999 Miss Israel, representing Israel in the Miss Universe pageant.
• All Arabs, including Palestinians living in the West Bank have unsegregated access to Israel’s medical facilities, beaches, parks and recreation facilities.
• Israeli Arabs, and many Palestinians and Arabs from other countries, have the same access to Israel’s Universities and Colleges as any Israeli or foreign student. 

I know that Israel is not perfect. The Jewish State is still a work in progress. But my answer to the ridiculous, unfounded, accusation of some arbitrary and widespread institutional practice of “Apartheid” against Israeli Arabs and West Bank Palestinians is: Hitschaktem otee!    
    Agree or disagree, that’s my opinion.