I disagree with people who say Israel is an apartheid state.
After years of attacks on Israeli citizens that have claimed many lives, their government has taken measures to prevent Palestinians from killing more Jews.
When Israel applies these measures, it is accused of apartheid-style oppression.
Israel, like any other state in the world, has the right to protect its
citizens.
What I cannot understand is that nearly 3 000 Palestinians were killed in Syria during the civil war of 2011.
But because they were killed by Arabs, not Israelis, this was never serious news. Human rights organisations paid little attention to this – they are too busy blaming Israel.
The Palestinians have consistently rejected Jewish peace offers, even before the creation of the state of Israel. They keep fighting a pointless war to destroy Israel, a war they will never win.
Israel has invented advanced technology to preserve and purify water. This technology is also benefiting most of its neighbours, including Palestine.
Arab Israelis have the same freedoms and rights as Jews.
Eric Mathobo, Lenasia
