South Africa justifies its comparison of Israel’s actions to apartheid in several ways:

   1.    Historical parallels:

South Africa, particularly the governing African National Congress (ANC), sees parallels between Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and the apartheid system that existed in South Africa. The ANC has a long history of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, viewing it as similar to their own struggle against racial segregation and discrimination.

   2.    Personal experience:

South African leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, have drawn on their country’s experience with apartheid to criticize Israel’s policies. Ramaphosa stated, “As a people who once tasted the bitter fruits of dispossession, discrimination, racism and state-sponsored violence, we are clear that we will stand on the right side of history.”

   3.    International legal definitions:

South Africa relies on international legal definitions of apartheid, particularly those outlined in the UN’s 1973 International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid and the 1998 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. These definitions are broader than the specific system implemented in South Africa and focus on systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over another.

   4.    Human rights organizations’

assessments: South Africa’s position aligns with conclusions reached by international human rights organizations. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have both stated that Israel’s policies toward Palestinians amount to apartheid under international law.

   5.    Systematic oppression and discrimination:

South Africa argues that Israel has implemented a regime of institutionalized racial discrimination and systematic oppression over the Palestinian people, similar to the core characteristics of apartheid.

   6.    Control and territorial dominance:

South Africa points to Israel’s de-facto control over all of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, despite the partial responsibility given to the Palestinian Authority in some areas.

   7.    Violation of self-determination:

South Africa contends that Israel’s occupation and settlement policies violate Palestinians’ right to self-determination, drawing parallels to the denial of rights under apartheid.
   

8.    Legal action:

By bringing cases against Israel to the International Court of Justice, including the genocide case, South Africa is using international legal mechanisms to challenge what it sees as apartheid-like practices.

It’s important to note that Israel strongly rejects these comparisons and accusations of apartheid, considering them unfair and biased. The comparison remains a subject of intense debate and disagreement in international forums.