Beyond the Wall
The term "apartheid," historically associated with South Africa’s racial segregation policies, has increasingly been used to describe the treatment of Palestinians under Israeli rule. This comparison has sparked intense debate, with figures like Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu highlighting parallels between the two situations.
A Century-Long Tug-of-War
In 1850, Palestine was home to approximately 500,000 inhabitants, predominantly Arabs. The population consisted of 400,000 Muslims (80%), 75,000 Christians, and 25,000 Jews, alongside a small Druze community. For centuries, these groups lived in relative harmony. However, the late 19th century brought a significant shift with the emergence of Zionism—a political movement advocating for the establishment of a Jewish state in response to discrimination and violence faced by Jews in Europe. Initially, various territories were considered for this endeavor, but the Zionists ultimately chose Palestine.