Integration and identity: The dual path of Arab Israelis - Opinion

• Published date: 17 April 2024
• Author: ROMY LEIBLER/THE MEDIA LINE
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

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Hostilities in May 2021 led to riots by Arab Israelis, resulting in attacks on Jews, 12 synagogues and 112 Jewish homes set ablaze, looting, and 849 cars torched. At the time, alarm bells rang throughout Israel about the potential threat of further rioting and the long-term implications. It was seen as an Arab nationalist revolt against Israel. Thankfully, the hostilities ended after 11 days and a nervous quiet took over.

If the limited 2021 outbreak caused such mayhem, logically, the current war and devastation in Gaza should have sparked even more violence and protests from the Arab Israeli sector. After all, Arab Israelis, particularly the youth have been incessantly targeted by Hamas and Fatah through social media platforms such as TikTok and Telegram. The outbreaks of stabbing attacks and lone-wolf actions have been ongoing for years and are largely attributable to efforts to radicalize the youth.

The absence can be attributed to several factors:

That Hamas did not differentiate between Arabs and Jews on October 7 was a shock to many. Arab Israelis were among those slaughtered and kidnapped. Unlike their brethren in the West Bank and throughout the Arab world, they were exposed to the full horror of the carnage committed by Hamas. A November and December 2023 poll by the Center for Democratic Values and Institutions revealed surprising findings. Around 70% of Arab Israeli respondents feel a part of Israel and its problems; 86% expressed support for assisting volunteering efforts during the war; 56% supported Mansour Abbas' assertion that the events of October 7 do not reflect the values of Islam or Arab Israelis.

The Arabs in Israel still possess a strong affinity with the Palestinian cause. They also have a sense of appreciation that their standard of living and freedom in Israel is way better than across the Green Line and in Gaza. Accordingly, they seek to assimilate into Israeli society and benefit from the economic prosperity that is on offer while staying loyal to the Palestinian cause.

Israeli-Arab relations

Contrary to claims that Israel is an apartheid state, Arab Israelis have equal rights and opportunities as full citizens. Is there racism, prejudice, and discrimination? Not in an institutionalized manner but there are tensions based on suspicion and mistrust. There are also gaps between the standard of living and services offered to the Arab sector and the rest of the country.

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