Still no hope for Palestinians after elections

On March 17, millions of Palestinians, living under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank, did not get to cast a ballot in an Israeli election.

Israel describes itself as the only democracy in the Middle East. But does it deserve that appellation while millions of people ruled by them are excluded from its parliamentary franchise?

It may be reasonable for people who have lived under military occupation for a short time — for six months, say — to be excluded from the political process of the occupying power. But, is it reasonable that they continue to be excluded after more than 47 years, as Palestinians have been?

And since Benyamin Netanyahu has ruled out a Palestinian state on his watch, there is no end to occupation in sight.

Remember Jews living in West Bank settlements (which are illegal under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court) can vote to elect members to the Knesset and did so on 17 March. That is akin to the electoral system which operated in apartheid South Africa.

David Morrison

Sadaka — the Ireland Palestine Alliance

PO Box 12295

Dublin 2