Yossi Schwartz, the ISL (RCIT section in Israel (Occupied Palestine), 20.05.2025
Today, we find the following article in “Ynet”:
“For the information of Yuval Rafael: Seven European countries announced that they “will not stand silent in the face of the man-made humanitarian disaster in Gaza.” Macron said the situation in the Gaza Strip was “unacceptable and intolerable.” The Netherlands also supports a discussion about sanctions. And the government of Israel? It is busy with internal battles and does nothing in the face of the erosion. These are the possible harsh consequences
The French president calls Netanyahu’s policy “shameful.” The Spanish prime minister threatens that “we will not trade with a country that commits genocide.” Seven European countries announced on Friday that “we will not stand silent in the face of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes in the Gaza Strip.” And all this is happening just before Yuval Rafael’s contest in the Eurovision Song Contest.
There is undoubtedly a strong drift against Israel in Europe. The fact that Dutch Foreign Minister Kasper Waldkamp announced that his right-wing government, which is considered perhaps more pro-Israel than ever before, supports the discussion on sanctions against Israel, attests to Israel’s political and propaganda collapse.
French President Emmanuel Macron, contrary to what is thought here, has always been in the pro-Israel camp. If he feels compelled to address the possibility of genocide (instead of rejecting it outright) and must promote an initiative for recognition of a Palestinian state (something he has not cared about at all in the past), it is because he sees strong pressure in public opinion in this direction, especially in the mainstream he represents. Last night, he reiterated his words, saying that the situation in Gaza was “unacceptable and intolerable.”
In Spain, it’s a different story: Pedro Sánchez is the prime minister of a minority, and his survival depends on the far-left party. But he knows that he is on safe ground when he speaks out against Israel because the right-wing parties (and the Catalan center-right, which has always supported us) have turned against us. Ynet first reported that the ambassador was summoned for a reprimand after Sánchez called Israel a “genocide state.”
In the Netherlands, the mayor of Amsterdam, Famke Helsma, called Israel’s actions “genocide” and called on the Dutch government to take a clear position and condemn Israel for human rights violations in Gaza. “The time has come for the international community, Europe and the Netherlands to stand with the Palestinians and the residents of Gaza, who are being brutally murdered,” she said. Sources in the Amsterdam City Council told Ynetthat the harsh statement stemmed from the heavy pressure exerted on the ground, “We are afraid that other cities in Europe will do the same, and not only in the Netherlands,” they added.
After all this, the prime ministers of Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, Norway, Spain, Malta and Slovenia – countries considered hostile to Israel – announced in a joint statement last night: “We will not stand silent in the face of the man-made humanitarian catastrophe that is unfolding before our eyes in the Gaza Strip. More than 50,000 men, women and children lost their lives. Many more could die of starvation in the coming days and weeks, unless immediate steps are taken.”
“We call on the government of Israel to immediately reverse its current policy, refrain from further military operations, and fully lift the blockade, while ensuring safe, prompt and uninterrupted humanitarian aid to be distributed throughout the Gaza Strip,” they added in a statement that also “condemned the ongoing escalation in the West Bank, against the backdrop of increasing settler violence, the expansion of illegal settlements, and Israel’s increased military activity.” [1]
This historical process is very much similar to what happened to the South African apartheid state, which, like Israel, was established in 1948. South African apartheid was very dear to Western imperialism as a force against the Soviet Union and the nationalist movements in Africa.
The Western imperialists began implementing sanctions against apartheid-era South Africa only from the mid-1980s, primarily through economic measures. This change of policy came when the imperialists realized that South African apartheid was doomed.
The US Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986 imposed sanctions that included restricting new trade and investment, and ending current economic transactions, among other things. The United States, along with other nations, used economic pressure to encourage South Africa to dismantle its apartheid system.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
US Legislation:
The US Congress enacted the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, which aimed to pressure South Africa to end apartheid.
Commonwealth Involvement:
The Commonwealth also played a role, with leaders from various countries convening summits to discuss sanctions and the situation in South Africa.
Disinvestment:
The campaign to divest from South Africa gained significant momentum, with universities and other institutions being encouraged to sell their holdings in South African companies.
Economic Impact:
The sanctions and disinvestment efforts aimed to isolate South Africa economically, making it more difficult for the apartheid regime to maintain itself.
Broader International Efforts:
The UN Security Council had condemned apartheid, and the UN General Assembly had called for members to sever political, financial, and transportation links with South Africa.
Shifting Stance:
Initially, some major trading partners opposed mandatory sanctions, but the overwhelming pressure of the masses around the world, and the condemnation of apartheid and growing support for sanctions led to more widespread measures.
1986 Sanctions:
In 1986, the UK expanded its sanctions to include a voluntary ban on tourism and new investments.
Overall Impact:
The sanctions, along with internal resistance and changing geopolitical dynamics, eventually contributed to the dismantling of apartheid and the establishment of a non-racial regime. However, because of the betrayal of the ANC and the Stalinists, the ruling class remained the white capitalists and a small number of black capitalists with a very corrupt regime.
These days, the Western imperialists are beginning to realize that Israel is not a strategic asset but a burden. We are warning our brothers and sisters who participate in the pro-Palestinian movement that they should not trust the sharks. When they say the solution is two states, they mean a strong imperialist Israeli state alongside a Palestinian Bantustan.
For one secular democratic state for the Israelis and the Palestinians, including the refugees!
Endnotes:
[1] www.msn.com/he-il/news/other/ה/ar-AA1EVGr9?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=53346895ece749cc8d4a67790d745dc0&ei=48