# Deepen your knowledge: racial segregation.

Israel sees its restrictions on Palestinians as necessary to prevent terrorism, which throughout history has been a major concern in the region. Back in 2007, for example, the Islamic militant group Hamas staged a violent takeover of the Gaza strip. And in 2012, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza in response to what it perceived as “relentless” Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
Critics of Israeli policies have argued, however, that the status of Palestinians in the West Bank is similar to the experiences of Black Africans during the period of South African apartheid, which involved laws and policies promoting racial segregation. (Apartheid laws and policies were in place for nearly 50 years, from 1948-1994.) Critics also have suggested a possible parallel with the United States' post-Civil War period of racial unrest, beginning in 1865 and involving “Jim Crow” laws that were put in place to enforce racial segregation.

- If the peace process moves forward successfully between Israelis and Palestinians, do you think security policies and restrictions in the West Bank will change as well? If so, how?
- How is the situation in the West Bank different from the context of South African apartheid or segregation in the United States?
- In times of war and turbulence, can there be a difference between official laws and policies (what political leaders and/or the military say) and how citizens actually experience those laws and policies?
- How would you characterize the current level of trust between Israelis and Palestinians? Do the two groups tend to perceive and interpret events the same way?

Talks remain stalled on establishment of a United Nations-recognized Palestinian state. In late 2012, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas wanted Israel to halt its Jewish settlement activity before he considered resuming peace talks, but Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu made no move to stop settlement.

In summer 2014, violence erupted again, shattering a fragile Palestinian reconciliation deal that had brought together both militant and moderate factions under President Abbas’ leadership. Days of rocket and missile fire left many dead and injured in and around the Gaza Strip. Israel argued that it was forced into the conflict by rocket fire from the Gaza Strip that was condemned by leaders worldwide. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said strikes would continue until "quiet" was returned to Israeli citizens.

- What do you think will happen in this region in the future?