The lie of apartheid: The 2026 Israel election is a display of the country's diversity - opinion

When I visited the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg many years ago, I learned profound lessons that will forever remain etched in my memory. The most striking realization was the immense suffering endured by non-whites under institutionalized racism, a tragedy that has left a dark stain on human history. However, the museum also unveiled stories of remarkable courage and self-sacrifice displayed by Jews like Helen Suzman and Denis Goldberg, who fought against the apartheid regime.

It is a lesson that I hope is now included in the education of South Africans, ensuring that the painful history is never forgotten.

Regrettably, I have become increasingly disgusted when prominent figures compare the situation of Israel to apartheid, a blatant misuse of the term "apartheid." This was evident when New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani called for an end to Israeli policies, branding them as apartheid on the second anniversary of the October 7 massacre.

The "apartheid" label has always been an easy false accusation against Israel. While Israel is not perfect, it is far from the oppressive and discriminatory system of apartheid. Far from being a minority rule over the majority on racial grounds, Israel is a democracy where 73.2% of the population is Jewish. Israel maintains equal rights for its Arab citizens that blacks in South Africa could only dream of during the apartheid era.

Even Jewish and Jewish judges ordering Jewish and non-Jewish officials to prison cannot be compared to the apartheid system.

The significance of the upcoming election in Israel cannot be understated. It is becoming increasingly clear that Arab citizens of Israel will be the ones deciding the outcome of the October 27 election. Unlike the apartheid South Africa, where non-whites were barred from voting and running for office, Israeli Arabs now have the opportunity to make their voices heard.

The turnout among Jews in Israel has remained relatively stable, but the Arab vote has fluctuated, depending on the ability of Arab parties to unite and recent developments that empower Israeli Arabs. Over the past six Knesset elections, the Arab turnout has ranged from 44.6% to 63.5%, with peaks in 2015 and 2020 when the Joint List of Arab parties was founded and became Israel's third-largest party, respectively.

The Ra'am (United Arab List) also plays a crucial role in this election. Prime Ministerial candidate Gadi Eizenkot has expressed his willingness to welcome Ra'am's support in some form, potentially through a coalition partnership. Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas has indicated his desire to return to the coalition as a full partner, but he has also stated that he would support removing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition partners if the change bloc fails to achieve 61 seats.

A recent poll in Israel Hayom predicted six seats for Ra'am, while Channel 13's poll projected seven if Ra'am joined former deputy internal security minister Yoav Segalovitz, who left Yesh Atid and is instrumental in reducing crime in the Arab sector.

The potential partnership between Ra'am and Segalovitz in a new party could be a game-changer in Israeli politics. Hadad, an IDF combat veteran and pro-Israel Arab activist, is also considering forming a new party. With his background and the support of the Joint List, Hadad's party could potentially gain five seats and avoid needing a reserved slot in the Likud list.

If Netanyahu were to form the next government and appoint Hadad as a cabinet minister, Israel could finally put the apartheid myth to rest. Despite the ongoing challenges and the persistent haters, this election may finally dispel the unproven comparison between Israel and apartheid, showcasing Israel's commitment to democracy and equal rights for all its citizens.