It's time for a cultural, economic and sporting boycott

In 1968, the UN General Assembly proposed ending all cultural, economic and sporting connections with South Africa's apartheid government, but because of South Africa's strategic importance to the west given the fact that South Africa had the world's largest resources of uranium, a key ingredient in the manufacture of nuclear weapons, and it was the height of the Cold War, economic sanctions against South Africa were not implemented until the late 1980s - there's a long list of western companies who put profit before morals and continued to trade with the ostracised regime.

South Africa's state sanctioned policy of separate development aka apartheid is no different to Israel's modern day treatment of the Palestinians. The ritual humiliations meted out to the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories is on par with the debasement experienced by black/coloured South Africans under apartheid. The Occupied Territories are the modern day equivalent of the Bantustans. The apartheid South African government was dismissive of international condemnation of its policies just as Israel is dismissive of any international criticism concerning the collective punishment of the citizens of Gaza - what Israel is subjecting the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to is reminiscent of the treatment meted out to Jews in Europe during World War II.

If South Africa's apartheid government warranted a cultural, economic and sporting boycott, isn't today's Israel deserving of one too?

Why it's not in the least bit surprising

Secret documents have revealed that Israel tried to sell nuclear weapons to apartheid South Africa in the 1970s. What is surprising about this revelation, is that it was orchestrated by an Israeli who is considered a dove, the current president Shimon Peres, who at that time was Israel's Minister of Defence. To put this in context, Ariel Sharon was a hawk and the same goes for the current Israeli Prime Minster and the Foreign Minster. And for those still unsure as to whether or not Israel has nuclear weapons, this provides irrefutable evidence that Israel does. That being the case, Mordechai Vanunu should now be allowed to leave Israel because Israel's secret is out!!

The parallels between Israel and apartheid South Africa are striking:

• a minority oppressing a majority
• us vs the rest of the world mentality
• flagrant violations of international law
• a chronic failure to learn the lessons of history

Apartheid South Africa was eventually ostracised by the international community, methinks it's time the international community ostracises Israel.