South Africa, risking possible pressures, stood against Israel's apartheid regime based on racial discrimination. Going a step further, South Africa succeeded in prosecuting Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice. South Africans expressed that they relied on the shared experiences of oppression and colonialism that historically colonized countries had endured. It was this experience that led them to support Palestinians. Undoubtedly, South Africans knew who they might face opposition from when supporting Palestinians.
The apartheid regime in South Africa, which lasted until the 1990s, was a direct legacy of Britain's colonial past. In fact, when the republic system emerged in 1961, based on only white participation in elections, similarities can be seen. Those who governed the colony acted like the North American colonies when they distanced themselves from the queen. However, the original owners of South Africa had a different historical experience than the original owners of North America. Therefore, in the 1990s, they succeeded in dismantling colonial rule under Mandela's leadership. The similarity with Palestine should be sought right here. Israel is also a colonial structure in this way. Both Palestinians and South Africans knew they were up against not only Britain and the US but also Israel, which was their extension at the intersection of Africa and Asia.
It is known that the US was built on Britain's legacy after World War II. The idea of establishing a new colony in Palestine belonged to Britain. The role of the US was significant in the implementation of this idea. However, over time, anti-Semitism in Europe, centered on Germany, led to the forgetting or sidelining of the colonial idea. After World War II, as our intellectual life was shaped according to Anglo-Saxons, the issue of Israel was not seen as a legacy of 19th-century colonialism. However, although Israel systematically embraced terrorism from its inception, it operated extensively with the support of Britain and the US. As we are trying to express, opening up this area to Israel is not a direct result of Jewish theology or the history of the Children of Israel. This truth came to light with South Africa's application. However, as in the whole world, in Türkiye too, it would be necessary to wait for the immense resistance of the people of Gaza to understand this. Until October 7, anyone speaking out against Israel's apartheid regime and terrorist activities had to explicitly state that they were not anti-Semitic. However, Israel had no meaning other than being a colony of the US and Britain at the intersection of Asia and Africa.
Türkiye has tried to stand by Palestinians from the very beginning, including the process of Israel being established as a colony. It is known that the connection between the colonial regime and Nuri Pasha's weapons factory in Sütlüce has not been fully revealed. Türkiye did not give up its anti-colonial struggle, but such activities weakened over time. We should explain this within the framework of imperialist regimes that affected the whole world after World War II. Naturally, this requires reopening the debate on colonialism and imperialism. However, it should be noted that existing perspectives and concepts point to a problematic area. Because, as seen in the examples of South Africa and Palestine, colonialism or imperialism emerges with the systematic consolidation of European colonies. The concept of colonization is far from expressing this structure. Nevertheless, the concept of colonization has been widely used after World War II. From the ambiguity of meaning that emerged, strange views like "the Ottoman Empire was also a colonizer" could remain on the agenda. However, colonialism was a system and the work of Western European countries. We cannot expect those who ignore this fact to understand Britain's relentless support for Israel.
It is not an ordinary event for British elites, the political class, and the bourgeoisie to support genocide while Palestine is supported on the streets of Britain. They say they will also hold South Africa accountable with the US. Because Palestinians also want to dismantle colonialism as a system.
