Study rejects claims that Israel is apartheid state or guilty of genocide
A new academic study examines apartheid, genocide and settler colonialism accusations against Israel, concluding the first two are not established and the third is an inadequate classification.
A recent academic study published on SSRN challenges claims that Israel is an apartheid state or guilty of genocide. Authored by Philippe Karpe and Gunther Jikeli, the paper examines legal and historical evaluations of these accusations, concluding that neither apartheid nor genocide are established. The authors argue that settler colonialism is not a suitable classification either.
While racism and disparities persist within Israel's citizenship regime, Arab citizens participate in elections, litigate, and serve in the Knesset. The study finds that applying the apartheid label equates ethnic inequality with a system of legal segregation and exclusion, which does not exist in Israel. In the West Bank, prolonged occupation, settlements, and unequal arrangements present the strongest case for accusations, but the evidence does not prove intent to maintain systematic racial domination and oppression.
The authors note that West Bank administrative divisions stem from the Oslo Accords, and Gaza's situation must be analyzed separately. Regarding settler colonialism, while the framework reveals aspects of land acquisition and expansion, it fails to account for Zionism's national and refugee character. The study concludes that evidence does not support the genocide accusation, particularly in Gaza, where food and aid suspensions do not prove a purpose to physically destroy the population.
The authors argue that these accusations function collectively to stigmatize and delegitimize Israel when presented as mutually reinforcing descriptions.
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