Many critics of Israel have likened Israel's treatment of non-Jews to South Africa's treatment of non -whites under Apartheid. The term "Occupartheid" has also been used. The critics cite -
- The ID system and different legal rights for Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank
- The use of Palestinians as cheap labour.
- Jewish-only settlements, checkpoints and the separation wall invite comparison with South African Bantustans.
- Israelis who have served in their army have employment privileges not enjoyed by most 'Arabs'.
- Bedouin citizens of Israel are prevented from pursuing their traditional way of life. Stories are told of Bedouin soldiers in the Israeli army returning to find their homes destroyed.
- The Jewish National Fund (JNF) has maintained that its lands, originally purchased by Jewish donors for the purpose of settling Jews in Israel, should not be sold to non-Jews. This would mean that most Israeli land can be owned only by Jews.
- The post-apartheid government of South Africa has endorsed the parallel between the struggle against apartheid and Palestinian resistance to Israeli occupation.