The comparison has been made -- and not without some grounds -- between the treatment of Palestinians in Israeli occupied territories and the treatment of black South Africans during apartheid. Palestinians involved in commemoration demonstrations for Nelson Mandela this weekend certainly drew the comparison.
According to a report in pro-Palestine newssite Mondoweiss, Israeli forces opened fire on the West Bank Mandela commemorations (which were also protests against the Israeli occupation and expansion in the embattled terrain). "Dozens of Palestinians were injured and one detained as Israeli forces opened fire to disperse protests against the Israeli occupation and commemorating Nelson Mandela’s death across the West Bank," Mondoweiss reported, noting:
Demonstrators raised slogans and posters of South African anti-apartheid activist Nelson Mandela in many villages, commemorating the legacy of the “freedom fighter” who passed away on Thursday … In Nabi Saleh, Israeli forces dispersed demonstrators who marched throughout the village raising Palestinian flags as well as photographs of Mustafa Tamimi, who was shot dead by Israeli forces at a similar rally in 2011. Israeli forces opened fire on the demonstrations throughout the day with tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber bullets.
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