Echoes of Apartheid: South Africa’s Perspective on Israel’s Military Actions

As tensions escalate in the Israel-Palestine conflict, South Africans are drawing parallels between Israel’s recent military actions and the actions of apartheid South Africa during its final decades. In particular, the recent Israeli strikes on Qatar have ignited discussions reminiscent of the violent incursions that characterized South Africa’s foreign policy in the 1970s and 1980s.

Historical Context of Military Escalation

During the late 20th century, civil wars were raging across Southern Africa as nations like Angola and Mozambique struggled for independence from colonial rule. The Angolan government, supported by Cuba and the Soviet Union, fought against UNITA rebels, who were backed by the apartheid regime in South Africa and the United States. Meanwhile, in Mozambique, the ruling FRELIMO party battled the RENAMO group, also supported by South Africa. Namibia’s South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) was engaged in its own fight for independence against the apartheid state.

Analysts have noted that the current military escalation by Israel, which has attacked eight nations in 2023 alone, mirrors the brutal assaults carried out by the apartheid regime against its neighbors during the years leading up to its collapse. Like Israel today, apartheid South Africa framed its military incursions as necessary actions against “terrorist” threats, a narrative that secured backing from the United States.

“The United States’ relationship with apartheid South Africa varied considerably depending on the administration, with the policies of Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan differing in meaningful ways. We see similar geopolitical developments constantly changing the playing field when it comes to Israel and Palestine,” explained Lazlo Passemiers, a historian at the University of the Free State in South Africa.

Shared Ideologies: Apartheid and Zionism

Both apartheid South Africa and Israel were established in 1948 and have utilized religious justifications to promote their ethnonationalist ideologies. Researchers argue that both nations defined themselves by their struggle against perceived threats from indigenous peoples. The apartheid National Party and the Israeli state viewed themselves as bastions of Western civilization surrounded by hostile groups.

In his 2023 book “The Palestine Laboratory,” journalist Antony Loewenstein highlights the historical ties between the two nations. After a visit to Israel by South African Prime Minister John Vorster, a known Nazi sympathizer, a government yearbook proclaimed: “Israel and South Africa have one thing above all else in common: they are both situated in a predominantly hostile world inhabited by dark peoples.”

The Recent Attack on Qatar

The Israeli military’s recent strike on Qatar aimed to target the leadership of Hamas, including senior figures Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshaal. This action drew immediate comparisons to apartheid South Africa’s military operations, which often included targeted attacks against anti-apartheid leaders and activists. Sonja Theron, a lecturer in security studies at the University of Pretoria, noted that both Israel and apartheid South Africa relied on military actions that frequently resulted in civilian casualties.

The context of this attack is crucial. Qatari officials have been central mediators in negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and their efforts to broker a ceasefire come amid a devastating conflict that has claimed over 64,000 lives in Gaza since the onset of Israel’s military operations two years ago. A United Nations inquiry has classified these actions as genocide.

ANC’s Ongoing Support for Palestine

After his release from prison in 1990, Nelson Mandela reaffirmed the African National Congress’s (ANC) commitment to the Palestinian cause, despite the PLO being labeled a terrorist organization by both the US and Israel. The ANC has continued to advocate for Palestinian independence, maintaining a long-standing alliance with Palestinian leadership.

In December 2023, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration lodged a case with the International Court of Justice, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. The South African parliament has also voted to sever ties with Israel, although the government has yet to act on this decision.

Historical Parallels in Military Strategy

The military strategies employed by both Israel and apartheid South Africa share striking similarities. Apartheid South Africa conducted cross-border raids to eliminate members of the ANC and other liberation movements that were supported by neighboring countries. These operations often resulted in high civilian casualties, much like the current situation in Gaza.

Loewenstein notes that Israel has drawn inspiration from South Africa’s harsh segregation policies, particularly the “Bantustan” reserves that confined Black South Africans to designated areas. This approach has parallels in the establishment of 165 enclaves in the occupied West Bank, which fragment Palestinian land.

A Shift in Global Dynamics

While the ANC remains staunchly pro-Palestine, analysts highlight a key difference between Israel today and apartheid South Africa during the Cold War: Israel’s strategic importance to the United States. This relationship grants Israel a level of support that apartheid South Africa did not enjoy, complicating the international response to its actions.

In the 1980s, the US imposed sanctions on South Africa as its brutal conflicts and crackdowns on civilian uprisings became increasingly indefensible. Today, however, the political climate in the US is sharply divided, making bipartisan support for sanctions against Israel unlikely.

Conclusion: Lessons from the Past

The legacy of apartheid serves as a reminder of the importance of international pressure and domestic resistance in dismantling oppressive systems. As Israel continues its military operations and faces growing condemnation, the echoes of apartheid resonate strongly within South Africa, reminding many of the need for solidarity with the Palestinian cause.

Key Facts

– In 2023, Israel has conducted military strikes in eight nations, including Qatar.
– The ANC has maintained its support for Palestinian independence since Mandela’s release in 1990.
– A UN inquiry has classified Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide, with over 64,000 deaths reported.
– South Africa’s parliament has voted to cut ties with Israel, though the government has not yet acted on this decision.
– The US’s relationship with Israel is characterized by significant strategic support, differing from the sanctions imposed on apartheid South Africa in the 1980s.

Source: www.aljazeera.com