If your understanding of the Palestinian struggle is examined through the South African lens rather than the Algerian struggle, your solidarity is detrimental as it plays into the imperialist trap.
It is with no doubt that the struggles of the Algerians and South African continue to inspire the oppressed across the globe.
That said, when correlating them to Palestine, the comparison must be based on a comprehensive analysis of each liberation movement's geopolitical and historical dimensions and its contemporary manifestation into material reality.
Geopolitics and the imperialist crawler:
While we may draw parallels with South Africa for a more precise grasp of Zionism's oppressive implementation of apartheid, we must not fall into the liberal fantasy of using it as the primary point of reference to understanding Palestinian liberation.
Such restricted analysis oversimplifies the Palestinian narrative into an internal conflict between native and settler, a deliberate misdirection towards blind mobilisation against visible symptoms, such as apartheid, to shield the hungry imperialist beast lurking on the outskirts, relieving him from the shame of hearing his growling stomach and the alien tongue of his settler agents.
Therefore, a closer examination of the regional alignment between Algeria and Palestine, as well as their historical, religious and linguistic connections, can help us better understand the uncontrollable nature of colonial violence, its supremacist entitlement and exploitative survivalism, which resides beyond justification and ethical dialogue.
Ignoring the critical Algerian analogy is a reductionist tactic that not only derails efforts to address the alien nature of the Zionist oppressor but deliberately downplays the native's right to armed resistance against the infiltrating settlers and their role in the colonial body.
Settlers and letting the dust settle:
While South Africa's decision to negotiate and reconcile with settlers was pivotal for their movement, its focus on primely tackling the discriminatory system of apartheid left the colonial exploitative structures largely intact.
The integration of the settler class made it close to impossible to rectify wealth imbalances where land distribution patterns favouring the white minority persisted.
The corporate sector that supported the apartheid regime maintained its influence post-transition.
Educational opportunities remained unequal, reinforcing historical imbalances which contributed to social stratification along racial lines.
In contrast, Algeria's uncompromising position on the complete dismantling of settler colonialism and unapologetic recognition of settlers as the colonies infiltrating tentacles that must be severed, played a crucial role in the complete dismantling of exploitative structures.
Ending neo-colonial dependencies and ensuring genuine sovereignty for the indigenous.
Insuring a definitive break from the colonial past, fostering national pride and unity, minimising internal tensions and contributing to a cohesive post-independence society.
Facilitating economic redistribution addressing historical injustices for a more egalitarian society.
Understanding the alignment of Algeria and Palestine in both geopolitical relevance to the imperial core and shared mission towards absolute liberation from the colonial beast, his exploitative dimensions, and illegitimate offspring is imperative to interpreting the core predicament of the Palestinian struggle – one that is centred on the complete extermination of the external occupation, not, as seen in the case of South Africa's apartheid, a systematic dismantling of an internal discriminatory system by negotiating the oppressor into validity.
The Algerian experience teaches us that diplomatic solutions may result in tragic outcomes, that true freedom is seized, not granted, and that legal reforms may inadvertently harm the oppressed. In times of extreme violence, nuanced politics and humanism often face limitations, emphasising the difficulty of reconciling conflicting perspectives amid violent struggles where true freedom can only be taken by force rather than granted through negotiations.
In conclusion, the dangers associated with neglecting the deeper perspective provided by the Algerian comparison are manifold. Focusing on South Africa poses risks of oversimplification and misinterpretation of the root cause of oppression.
Recognising these dangers is paramount to fostering a comprehensive and informed solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for justice and self-determination.