South Africa's Apartheid Reckoning: Confronting Israel's Past

South Africa's Legal Battle Against Israel: Echoes of Apartheid Collaboration South Africa is taking Israel to the International Court of Justice, alleging that Israel's policies toward Palestinians mirror the apartheid system. This action highlights a previously under-reported collaboration between South Africa's apartheid regime and Israel in the 1980s. Investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein sheds light on this historical connection, revealing how Israeli leaders studied South Africa's bantustans as a model for controlling the Palestinian population in the West Bank. "White South Africans admired what Israel was doing to Palestinians," Loewenstein explains, "and Israel really admired what White South Africa was doing to the Blacks." This mutual admiration, he argues, stemmed from a shared belief that they were fighting barbarism in their own backyards. Now, South African leaders are pursuing justice for past injustices. "Many South African leaders...said, 'We will not forget what Israel did to our people,'" Loewenstein states, referring to Israel's support for the apartheid regime. This legal action represents a significant step in confronting the legacy of apartheid and holding Israel accountable for its alleged complicity. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for international cooperation to prevent future human rights violations.