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Let me explain why the "Human Rights Watch" report on Israel is so problematic, in just a few tweets - and why the response from so many in the Jewish community has been so strong.
(Thread)
(Thread)
1) Apartheid South Africa was perceived as a unique evil. It became a pariah state, the epitome of evil for many. And understandably so.
The HRW report says the situation in Israel is not like South Africa. But has classified it as Apartheid according to other definitions.
The HRW report says the situation in Israel is not like South Africa. But has classified it as Apartheid according to other definitions.
2) It is incorrect to say that HRW created this different definition of Apartheid themselves. It wasn't them. But it should demonstrate the cheapening of the definition.
"We're saying it's Apartheid. No, it's not like THAT Apartheid. It's a different type of Apartheid"
Really?
"We're saying it's Apartheid. No, it's not like THAT Apartheid. It's a different type of Apartheid"
Really?
3) The reason they freely admit the situation in Israel is not like Apartheid South Africa is because it quite obviously isn't. In Israel, a million Arabs are Israeli citizens, with the full rights Jewish citizens enjoy.
But they know most people won't make that distinction.
But they know most people won't make that distinction.
4) According to the definition of Apartheid which HRW are using, any number of countries could be defined as carrying out Apartheid.
China, Pakistan, Iran, Myanmar. Even potentially America.
But HRW has not defined any of these states as guilty of Apartheid. Just Israel.
China, Pakistan, Iran, Myanmar. Even potentially America.
But HRW has not defined any of these states as guilty of Apartheid. Just Israel.
5) That's because HRW wants to depict Israel as uniquely evil. Just like Apartheid South Africa.
Again, this is transparently obvious to many Jews. In 2009, the Jewish founder of HRW described how it had lost critical perspective on the Middle East https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/opinion/20bernstein.html
Again, this is transparently obvious to many Jews. In 2009, the Jewish founder of HRW described how it had lost critical perspective on the Middle East https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/20/opinion/20bernstein.html
6) People are currently holding up HRW as a purer than pure organisation, beyond reproach. That's just not accurate.
Take this from The Intercept (not exactly a Zionist publication) last year. It's astonishing that Kenneth Roth is still in post. https://theintercept.com/2020/03/02/human-rights-watch-took-money-from-saudi-businessman-after-documenting-his-coercive-labor-practices/
Take this from The Intercept (not exactly a Zionist publication) last year. It's astonishing that Kenneth Roth is still in post. https://theintercept.com/2020/03/02/human-rights-watch-took-money-from-saudi-businessman-after-documenting-his-coercive-labor-practices/
7) This article further encapsulates the problem with defining the situation in Israel as Apartheid.
Also makes the point that all of the NGOs saying Apartheid is happening there have their employees jailed without trial if Apartheid was truly happening. https://forward.com/opinion/468497/apartheid-israel-human-rights-watch-palestinians/
Also makes the point that all of the NGOs saying Apartheid is happening there have their employees jailed without trial if Apartheid was truly happening. https://forward.com/opinion/468497/apartheid-israel-human-rights-watch-palestinians/
8) But we have many people (including some Jewish organisations, sadly), who are essentially saying "why not engage with the report instead of attacking the organisation which has written it?"
They ignore the obvious point - the report is intended to establish Israel as a pariah
They ignore the obvious point - the report is intended to establish Israel as a pariah
9) We've seen a long history of organisations (from far-left University groups all the way through to the UN) try & designate Israel as not just evil, but a unique evil. HRW is nothing new.
To debate the claim in full is to provide it with a legitimacy it simply doesn't deserve.
To debate the claim in full is to provide it with a legitimacy it simply doesn't deserve.
10) The report won't change the situation in Israel. All it does is make it easier for antisemites abroad to attack any Jews in the diaspora who support Israel's continued existence as "shills for an Apartheid regime". All attacks on them can therefore be justified, even praised.
11) Thread ends. Oh, by the way, one of the lawyers for HRW is already trying to walk back the "Apartheid" line. It's a clown car of an organisation. Just bear that in mind. https://twitter.com/GLZRadio/status/1386935797539123200?s=20
