“APARTHEID” MYTH EXPOSED — PART ONE

Michael Kuttner

Our family went shopping today at a local branch of a leading supermarket chain. Why should this be something to write about? This is an everyday occurrence worldwide, a normal part of a family’s routine and not exactly an earth shattering experience. What crossed my mind as we were busy filling our trolley was the thought that if only the NZ public could see what we witnessed, then all the accusations against Israel would be exposed for the falsehoods they are.

An ever recurring theme of those who seek to demonise Israel is the accusation that it is an ‘apartheid’ State, with all the negative connotations that this conjures up. The slogans, placards, chants, protests and boycott campaigns by those whose hatred of Israel’s vibrant democratic society knows no bounds, seep into the public’s consciousness, aided by a media which in most cases uncritically publishes the most unbalanced reports. It is no wonder that ordinary people are influenced by this unrelenting tsunami of negative news.

What has this got to do with our supermarket shopping? Quite simply, our daily experiences reveal in stark reality the exact opposite of what is peddled by those with a hateful agenda. Every aspect of life here exposes the myths of ‘apartheid’ Israel. Shopping is just one small example of how Arabs, whether Muslim or Christian, are treated no differently to Jewish Israelis.

Here is the reality: As in every Israeli place where large crowds gather, all of us without exception or discrimination are subject to a security check before entering the supermarket. One may well ask why this is necessary. The answer of course is that those opposed to peace and fraternity sometimes have a yearning for martyrdom and have tried to blow themselves up amongst shoppers. Once we get past the electronic scanner, grab our trolley and start shopping, all of us, Jews and Arabs mingle in total harmony, intent only on taking advantage of the daily specials and bargains on offer. Lo & behold we can see Arab employees working alongside their Jewish co-workers stacking the shelves. Not finding something, we ask one of the Arab guys for help and he politely and helpfully guides us to the correct place. Arriving at the meat counter we are served by an Arab butcher wielding a large knife. Deftly and professionally he cuts up our chicken portions, weighs, wraps and hands us our order, wishing us a nice day. We thank him and make our way to the next purchase.

Is this the ‘apartheid’ Israel that our detractors claim our Arab neighbours suffer under? How come that the checkout lady is a Muslim who is employed and receives the same benefits as her Jewish colleagues? The man bagging our purchases happens to be also an Arab employee and he asks us if we need help in wheeling our things to the car. Looking around I notice Jewish and Arab family groups shopping side by side and exchanging pleasantries. An Arab lady in traditional dress offers to look after a baby while its Jewish mother rushes back to get something she has forgotten. This is not fiction; it is fact as witnessed by our family.

Today, we had a visit from our gardener who lives in a neighbouring Arab village. While he was clearing up our garden, I asked him what he thought about the new supermarket which has opened down the road from our town. He told me that it was wonderful and that his whole family and his friends also shopped there because it was friendly, cheap, clean and had a huge selection. Previously his family used to shop in Bethlehem (part of the Palestinian Authority). Now they are shopping and taking advantage of the bargains in an Israeli supermarket. In response to this overwhelming display of consumer confidence, the Palestinian Authority has called for a boycott and threatened its citizens with dire consequences if they continue to shop at Israeli supermarkets.

Apartheid Israel? Reality on the ground exposes that myth for what it is. It’s a pity that this truth is buried under an avalanche of hate.