by NOURA KHOURI
Activists make the links between Black Lives Matters and Palestine PHOTO/Reuters
A recent statement issued by the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of 60 grassroots organizations, describes Israel as “an apartheid state with over 50 laws on the books that sanction discrimination against the Palestinian people.” Progressive organizations from all over the world have endorsed the platform, to end state violence and genocide against Black people.
Recognizing this as a shared experience with Palestinians, what has generated the greatest backlash are the words “genocide” and “apartheid” to describe Israel’s actions towards Palestinians, and its support for BDS. This has led Jewish groups of all stripes to reject the statement outright, “We were stunned and outraged by the erroneous and egregious claims of genocide and apartheid” the Rabbinical Assembly of the Conservative movement said.
The Anti-Defamation League supposed mission statement is to stand against “all forms of bigotry, defend democratic ideals and protect civil rights for all,” CEO Jonathan Greenblatt had this to say, “Whatever one’s position on the relationship between Israel, its Palestinian citizens, and the residents in the West Bank and Gaza, it’s repellent and completely inaccurate to label Israel’s policy as ‘genocide’.”
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