Israel's Human Rights Paradox: Democracy for Some, Apartheid for Others
Searching for "human rights in the Middle East" on your browser will probably lead you to come across the top random websites claiming that Israel is the region's sole democracy, which could either infuriate or cause you to burst into laughter.
Yet, an intriguing paradox arises here—this statement reflects both truth and falsehood, simultaneously. The political regime that exists in the occupied Palestinian territories has a dualistic nature, exhibiting starkly different policies concerning human rights.
When addressing Jewish settlers—who are descendants of immigrants who came to Palestine in 1948—there is a notable adherence to human rights norms.
In contrast, when it comes to Palestinians, the rightful owners of the land, the Israeli regime unveils a different side of itself, becoming one of history's most infamous examples of racism and apartheid, rivaling only Nazi Germany.
This duality is particularly evident in the unfolding genocide of civilians in Gaza by Israel, a mass murder unprecedented in history; yet, at the same time, settlers are participating in demonstrations and rallies against the same government, and no one gets hurt.
If we consider fundamental human rights parameters—including the right to life in safety, the right to protest, the prohibition of torture, and the principle of non-discrimination based on race or religion—then it becomes evident that Israel has always upheld these ideals for its own citizens while systematically denying them to Palestinians.
From the beginning, the Zionist regime has found it necessary to respect ideals such as liberty and justice, of course only for the Jews, recognizing that the sole psychological motivation for keeping an incoherent population—largely consisting of individuals who already hold other nationalities—and in an occupied territory, is to maintain a façade of democracy.
Today, however, this selective approach is in jeopardy, since many Israeli intellectuals have expressed concern that one of the most damaging repercussions of the war in Gaza is the crackdown on dissent within academic institutions under the guise of wartime exigency.
In this context, the ratification of the 'Silence Law' by the Knesset can be seen as a significant blow to the principle of freedom of expression within universities.
The legislation mandates that university deans vet all statements issued by faculty members. Any hint of criticism could be construed as collaboration with the adversary [the Palestinians], potentially resulting in the expulsion or arrest of members within this particular community.
What happened is that the notion of Israeli democracy 'only for Jews' is no longer exists.
This troubling reality has driven many Israeli academics to think about escaping what they perceive as an open-air, militarized prison, called Israel.
Yet, amid this social turmoil, the war in Gaza has proven to be a boon for Israeli leaders, as it serves as a convenient pretext for the systematic dismantling of any semblance of human rights that now exists only on paper.
