Can Israel build a Jewish state that includes its Arab citizens? - opinion
The recent Arab turnout for the elections was proof that the Arab population is on the way to receiving the same consideration as its Jewish neighbors.
In the Israeli political landscape, there is a persistent debate surrounding the possibility of building a Jewish state that incorporates its Arab citizens. While Jews who are not Zionists do not wish to be labeled self-hating, it remains a united goal among both coalition and opposition parties in the Knesset to strive for a Jewish and democratic state. This objective excludes certain parties, including the ultra-Orthodox (haredi) parties and the Arab parties.
The haredi parties, being non-Zionist, object to Israel being called a Jewish state due to their perception of such a state being more akin to a theocracy. They believe that a true Jewish state would not violate Shabbat with cars, have non-kosher restaurants operating daily, allow non-religious observances like Yom Kippur, ignore family purity laws, and accept homosexuality as a norm.
Arab citizens, on the other hand, are unlikely to be Zionists or supporters of Jewish law. However, they can potentially believe in a democratic state. Some Christian Zionists exist but share similarities with Zionists. The Zionist Movement, founded in 1897, gained significant traction following the Holocaust, with mass immigration programs like Aliya Bet, Ezra and Nechemiah, Magic Carpet, and Operation Moses facilitating the influx of Jews to Israel.
Despite high birthrates among haredi and Arab families, the haredi community now numbers approximately 1.5 million, and is expected to continue growing. Similarly, Arab families also experience high birthrates. While many Israeli Arabs have successfully integrated into mainstream Israeli society, they often face unequal treatment, especially since the October 7 incident.
The recent Arab turnout in elections indicates a shift towards equal consideration for Arab citizens alongside their Jewish counterparts. This trend may lead to improved access to government services, job opportunities, and educational facilities. Additionally, Arabs contribute to various sectors, including the military and healthcare, and are represented in the Knesset.
Notably, the first Muslim Arab to serve in the cabinet, Raleb Majadele, held various ministerial positions between 2007 and present. Other Arab members of the Joint List, such as Yousef Jabareen and Ofer Cassif, have also served in the Knesset, alongside Jewish politicians like Dov Khenin, Tamar Gozansky, and Meir Vilner, who signed Israel's Declaration of Independence.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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