It's understandable if you were unaware - unlike South Africa, it gets little attention in the news: https://theintercept.com/2022/09/29/hill-tv-israel-apartheid...
Nelson mandela HIMSELF called the Israel situation “Apartheid”.
-- https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/nelson-mandela-30-years-p...
You’re quoting the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who spoke in 2020.
Again, Mandela died in 2013.
It is not in contention that Mandela supported Palestinians. Though I cannot find evidence that he referred to the Israel conflict as apartheid.
I looked some more and found nothing. Criticism of Israel, yes, but not using that exact word.
https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/50771/did-nelso...
"Not using the term apartheid" is, itself, an attempt to marginalize the efforts and sacrifices made by the Palestinian people against the apartheid state forced upon them.
Just no. This is an entirely appropriate term and Israel doesn't need to re-brand it in order to escape the association with previous examples.
South Africa moved on from its apartheid problem. Israel needs to, also.
Keep this word in use, as it is entirely accurate and appropriate to be using this term. It doesn't matter if Israeli citizens are embarassed by it - they should be embarassed for the conditions of their state.
Also, whether you support Israel as defending themselves, or consider Israeli actions a form of genocide, language matters. By using the term Apartheid I interpreted this as an unconscious attempt to marginalize the efforts and sacrifices made by those who fought against Apartheid in South Africa, including Nelson Mandela and many others - in order to increase emotional response for your cause. I am sure that is not what you intended, but in communication perception is as important as intention, if not more so.
So I ask that we all keep Apartheid to mean the struggle against racism, segregation and hatred that Nelson Mandela and his people fought hard to win.
Instead, come up with a new word. For example Apartheid means 'Separation. The Arabic word for "separation" is ﻓِﺮَﺍﻕ (pronounced "firaaq"). Firaaq could be the word to uniquely mean what is happening in Palestine, as Apartheid is for South Africa. Or use a Hebrew word (Apartheid was Afrikaaner IIRC), such as Hafrada, which is the Hebrew word for "separation". It can also mean "segregation".
By using a unique word close in cultural context to the events you create something that you can attach unique meaning to, and generate support against.