Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
28 August 2023 | 09:50am SAST
2-min read

In this week’s Palestine Report, Moulana Ebrahim Moosa discussed the growing chorus of voices labelling the state of Israel as an apartheid state. This sentiment was further exacerbated by an open admission of Israeli apartheid from Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right Israeli national security minister. The controversial comments, made on Israel’s Channel 12, highlighted his assertion that the rights of Jewish settlers took precedence over those of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

Ben-Gvir’s remarks sparked outrage globally, with responses ranging from condemnation to concerns about diplomatic repercussions. Notably, an unnamed senior diplomatic source within Israeli circles lamented the damage to Israel’s reputation and described the comments as tantamount to a “mega-propaganda attack,” potentially exposing the face of the Israeli government.

Voices within Palestine and beyond have decried the racial bias and apartheid-like policies exhibited by Ben-Gvir’s statements. Figures like Ahmad Tibi, a Palestinian MP serving in the Knesset, pointed out that this was not the first instance of such admission, but a rare instance of an Israeli minister acknowledging the enforcement of an apartheid regime based on Jewish supremacy.

While global scrutiny continues to focus on Israel’s policies, a shift has been observed in social media platforms. Formerly known as Twitter, the platform has undergone a name change to “X” and introduced new verification procedures to combat fake accounts. However, the decision to have verification conducted by an Israeli-based company, AU10TIX, has raised concerns. Founded by former members of the Shin Bet Intelligence Services, AU10TIX has been involved in developing identity verification systems for high-profile firms and has connections to Israeli intelligence and military surveillance.

“There’s this revolving door between many of these tech companies in Israel, surveillance companies in Israel and the Israeli government and the Israeli army. An this obviously is going to raise significant questions about the potential implication for user privacy and data security,” Moosa said.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the danger of unexploded bombs remains a pressing issue. The region has witnessed extensive aerial bombardment over the last decade, resulting in many unexploded devices scattered across the area. The story of the Abu Jarad family and their farm serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by residents. Families, including those with children, live in constant fear due to the presence of unexploded Israeli bombs.

The situation is further compounded by the Gaza Strip’s besieged status, limiting access to proper equipment and advanced training for teams responsible for removing unexploded ordnances. The Gaza General Department of Forensic Evidence and Explosive Ordnance Disposal has managed to complete 300 missions since May, but the lack of resources poses a grave danger to their safety.

Listen to the full Palestine Report on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Juanaid Kharsany.