There are similarities and differences between this report and Tor’s books. They are both based on an extensive factual basis, not feelings. At the same time, there is a decisive difference. Tor documents who did something, how he did this, and why. In the report from South Africa about the situation in Palestine, the international community is not an important actor. The international community is politically silent and there is little to report on. The authors of the report have instead chosen to analyze concepts such as colonialism and apartheid and do this in relation to legality. The books and the report consist of research at its best. Research with an address, research that means that we need to take a position, must judge, value and as humans react.
Colonialism and apartheid are expressions that we within humanity have decided to fight. They are both crimes against fundamental human rights. Each state has a legal responsibility to the international community to not be an active part of apartheid or colonialism. In accordance with this, each state has a responsibility to cooperate to end all forms of colonialism and apartheid, not recognize a form of action which has its origin in colonialism or apartheid, and not support a country committing these crimes. Sweden also stands behind this undertaking. It has been manifested under the common notion of international law.
After long periods of colonialism under which different European countries were the oppressing party, and the poor in Asia, Africa and Latin America the oppressed, it became finally clear that this must be fought. Each Swede with principles of law as a guiding star stood behind this and came to support different liberation struggles around the world. In the same way, a clear understanding of Apartheid as part of the utmost evil was formed. Sweden was, according to Tor, the country which at an early stage took a clear position against apartheid and came to play an important role in this struggle. Many in Sweden could therefore feel happiness, joy and pride when we got to see Mandela walk out of prison after 27 years. The “terrorist” had had redress and we though apartheid had been forever exterminated.
However, Human Sciences Research Council shows that apartheid remains. Professor John Dugard was for several years the UN special rapporteur for Palestine in the UN Human Rights Council. In his final report in January 2007, he poses the following question to the international community: “What are the legal consequences of a regime of prolonged occupation with features of colonialism and apartheid for the occupied people, the Occupying Power and third States?” Third parties in this case include Sweden.
It is this question which is the starting point for the report about occupation, colonialism and apartheid. But this time we are not in southern Africa, because the report places Israel under the looking glass. The authors are clear. After 15 months of intense research, they declare that the similarities between apartheid in South Africa and today’s politics in Israel are many. The state Israel is guilty of colonialism as well as apartheid. The ones who have participated in the commission of the report come from different institutes in South Africa, England, Israel and Palestine.
Apartheid in South Africa had three starting points; to divide the population into groups based on race, and to give the white race preference in terms of rights, services and privileges. The second starting point was about dividing up the country into geographically segregated areas and transferring the population into these based on race. In addition, a person from one area could not access another area. The third prerequisite was a combination of security laws and rules created to oppress and suppress any resistance and which also strengthened a system of domination based on race.
The authors of the report consider that the Palestinian people live under a similar system. The three prerequisites are visible in the occupied territory. The system of privilege is extensive and well built, the geographically segregated areas clear and well established and the security laws are one-sided and in place to among others preclude all forms of resistance, something each Palestinian is well aware of.
The South African report has been handed over to and read by every diplomat in Jerusalem, Ramallah or Tel Aviv. It is probably registered with most foreign ministries, including Sweden’s. At the same time, each country with self-respect has long ago signed onto fighting apartheid in case its ugly face should surface. And now it surfaces. Researchers from South Africa, with support from other countries, do not hesitate.
South Africa therefore now aims the spotlight not only on Israel, but also on each country within the European Union, as well as the USA and others within the UN family. Researchers ask us all what the third party is going to do. Apartheid is back. Apartheid is near. A short plane ride away and you can again experience what we all thought had been buried forever. We are requested to take a stand and dare walk out on the stage and have our voice heard.
Israel bears the main responsibility to eradicate the crime it has itself created. This can be done by removing the structures and institutions that have led to apartheid and colonialism. There are also rules that demand compensation from Israel for the damage caused. Israel must also ensure that each individual in Palestine has the right to decide over his or her future, political belonging, and economic and social development. For this to become possible, everyone living in Israel or within the occupied territory must be equal before the law.
In this work, to ensure that each Palestinian can live freely, a third party, for example Sweden, has an important voice and an important role. The international community demands, in accordance with international law, that Sweden also live up to the common undertakings, to fight apartheid and colonialism in all its forms. South Africa has given us a baton and it is now therefore up to us to dare to pick it up, to begin to call a spade a spade.
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Occupation, Colonialism, Apartheid?
A re-assessment of Israel´s practices in the occupied
Palestinian territories under international law
Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC
May 2009, Cape Town, South Africa
Sweden and National Liberation in Southern Africa
Volume I: Formation of a popular opinion 1950-1970
Tor Sellström
Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Uppsala 1999
Sweden and National Liberation in Sothern Africa
Volume II: Solidarity and Assistancce 1970-1994
Tor Sellström
Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Uppsala 2002
