Israel must stop demanding loyalty confessions from Arab citizens - opinion
Arab Israelis have condemned terrorism and shared the country's pain. It's time to stop questioning their loyalty and recognize them as equal partners.
For months, Arab Israeli politicians have been required to confess to their loyalty to the state, despite recent surveys showing that 68% of Arab citizens support a national-service framework for their youth. The demand to condemn Hamas and declare it a terrorist organization has become repetitive and outdated, despite the fact that Arab Israeli leaders have repeatedly condemned terrorism against civilians and IDF soldiers.
The obsession with testing loyalty seems to stem from a chronic fixation, rather than an objective concern for national security. Arab Israeli leaders, including Mansour Abbas of Ra am, have condemned the October 7 massacre and affirmed that it does not reflect Arab society, the Palestinian people, or the Islamic nation. Arab Israeli citizens are also victims of terror, with at least 17 Bedouin citizens killed on October 7, and many more affected by missile attacks.
Despite these tragedies, Arab Israelis continue to stand with Israel, with 77% condemning the attack within a week and 85% opposing the kidnapping of civilians. The demand for loyalty confessions irritates both Arab Israeli politicians and the public, as it fails to acknowledge their shared identity and experiences as Israeli citizens.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
