'This is apartheid' B'Tselem tells Biden in billboard ahead of Israel visit

A billboard declaring that Israel is an apartheid state has been put up by human rights group B'Tselem in the occupied West Bank ahead of US President Joe Biden's visit to the Middle East.

"Mr President, this is apartheid" the black and white billboard read.

The organisation posted an image of the billboard on social media with a statement urging Biden to recognise that Israel is conducting a policy of apartheid against Palestine.

"President Biden, this is apartheid. The US presidential visit perpetuates reality instead of changing it", the statement read.

"False symmetry, of visiting West Jerusalem as well as the Occupied Territories, does not change the fact that Jerusalem controls also the OPT. When the US stops backing Israel’s apartheid – it will end."
 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by B'Tselem בצלם (@btselem)

In his first Middle East trip as president on July 13-16, Biden is expected to meet separately with Palestinian and Israeli leaders.

Palestinian officials said it does not look like Washington will address key issues including the reopening the US consulate in East Jerusalem, removal of the Palestine Liberation Organisation from the US Congress’ list of terror organisations, or a declaration of the 1967 borders as the basis for future negotiations with Israel.

Israel's continued occupation of Palestinian land and its persecution and violence against Palestinians have been described as apartheid by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Today, we greeted US President Biden with billboards in Ramallah and Bethlehem. In order to change reality, we must first recognize it, and work for a future of human rights, justice and equality. pic.twitter.com/DH8Tjrpg4B

— B'Tselem בצלם بتسيلم (@btselem) July 13, 2022

Israel has a history of discrediting individuals and organisations seeking to criticise its treatment of Palestinians.

Israeli forces have displaced thousands of Palestinian families from their homes since the country's creation in 1948 and continue to occupy the West Bank and besiege the Gaza Strip.

Israel has also built hundreds of illegal settlements on Palestinian land.