Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity

Report by Amnesty International | 2022

Amnesty International examines and accuses Israel of enforcing a system of apartheid against Palestinians, characterized by systematic oppression, domination, and segregation. This system operates through discriminatory laws, policies, and practices that affect Palestinians across Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), and Palestinian refugees.

The report details the following key points:

1. Historical Context and Intent: Since its creation in 1948, Israel has pursued policies aimed at maintaining Jewish demographic dominance and control over land, benefiting Jewish Israelis at the expense of Palestinians. These policies expanded after Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip in 1967, extending the system of segregation and control over Palestinians in these areas.
2. Fragmentation and Segregation: The report highlights Israel's deliberate fragmentation of Palestinians into different legal and geographic domains to weaken Palestinian unity. This fragmentation is achieved through discriminatory zoning, planning, and control over movement. Palestinians in Israel face civil laws, while those in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza are subjected to military orders, further isolating them.
3. Discriminatory Practices: Amnesty documents specific inhumane acts, including land expropriation, denial of nationality and residency rights, restrictions on movement, and control of family reunification, all aimed at preserving Jewish hegemony and oppressing Palestinians.
4. Apartheid in International Law: The report concludes that Israel’s policies and practices amount to apartheid, a crime against humanity under international law. It cites international treaties like the Apartheid Convention and the Rome Statute, arguing that Israel’s prolonged discriminatory control of Palestinians meets the legal definition of apartheid.
5. Legal and Institutional Frameworks: The report shows how Israeli institutions, both civilian and military, enforce the apartheid system. It provides evidence of institutionalized discrimination through legal frameworks, including land expropriation laws and restrictions on Palestinian movement and rights.

You can read the full report on Amnesty's website.