In recent weeks, people have been calling Israel an ‘apartheid’ state. Personally I do not see how.
Arabs comprise 20 per cent of Israel’s population. These citizens are entitled to the exact same rights as every other Israeli.
There are no separate toilets for Jews and Arabs, no separate benches, parks or beaches – unlike the former regime in South Africa.
Israel is also one of the only western nations which recognises the Islamic calendar. And it is not uncommon to find old Jewish and Arab men playing chess together in many small Israeli towns.
If Israel was an apartheid state, Israeli Arabs would have no rights to own property, vote or marry under Islamic customs, and there would be no Arab parties in the Knesset.
So I object to people falsely calling Israel an apartheid state.
Barry W, Cork
Full name and address withheld by editor
