According to Israeli law, Arab citizens are guaranteed all national and civil rights. They have their own political parties, media (both print and electronic), judges in the Supreme Court, they participate in Israeli sports teams, etc. However, despite being formally equal before the law, in practice their community is separated from the rest of Israeli society, and one could speak of parallel societies — a majority Jewish one and an Arab one. According to the Israel Democracy Institute, around 49.1% of Israeli Arabs live in Arab villages, 30.9% in Arab towns, and 8.3% in officially mixed cities.
Israeli Cities with Arab Majorities
The largest Israeli cities with a majority Arab population are: Nazareth (78,000 residents), Rahat (60,000), Umm al-Fahm (51,000), Tayibe (40,000), and Shefa-Amr (39,000). An additional 5.5% of Arab citizens live in 47 small communities, 4.2% live in unrecognized villages (mainly in the Negev), and 1.8% live in cities with a Jewish majority (including West Jerusalem). Villages where Arabs live are Arab in character, while in cities, Arabs mostly reside in Arab cities or specific Arab neighborhoods. Genuine mixing between Jews and Arabs is limited, except in interfaith marriages, which are still rare. Haifa and Lod are examples of Israeli cities with the most Jewish-Arab mixing when looking at the city as a whole; however, these cities still have their respective Jewish and Arab districts.
The vast majority of Arab children are educated in Arab schools. After finishing their education, young Arabs will read Arab media and listen to Arab radio stations and music, while being underrepresented in national media. In Israel’s mainstream media, Arabs are marginalized and rarely participate as journalists, analysts, politicians, or businesspeople. The most accurate way to describe it would be as classic neglect. Although nearly all Arabs understand and speak Hebrew fluently, they use it mainly in workplaces where they interact with Jews. In their free time, they mostly socialize with their fellow Arabs and speak Arabic.
One could draw a comparison between Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews, the Haredim, who mostly do not work and live rather modest and ascetic lives. However, the key difference is that Haredim consciously choose such a lifestyle and are ultimately supported by the state through funding. In contrast, Arabs are forced into a modest life because they cannot find employment or can only work low-paying jobs.
Discrimination
In 2018, 45.3% of Arab families in Israel fell below the poverty line, compared to just 13.4% of Jewish families. Currently, around 50% of Arab families live in poverty. Socioeconomic differences between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel are less pronounced in mixed cities, although a government analysis from July 2022 showed that Arabs still have poorer access to municipal services. For decades, Israeli government spending on education per child was lower in Arab areas than in Jewish areas. However, five-year government programs from 2016 and 2021 sought to change this. In 2021, the government approved a $9 billion plan to increase employment, improve health services and housing, and develop infrastructure in Arab regions.
The state’s long-standing policy of underinvesting in Arab children’s education has led to a shameful and discriminatory situation on the ground: 8 out of the 10 poorest cities in Israel have an Arab majority population. According to surveys, around four-fifths of Arabs feel discriminated against. While the Israeli government has passed minority-supportive laws promoting affirmative action and quotas for minority employment, these laws are poorly implemented in practice. Despite this, a 2017 survey showed that 60% of Israeli Arabs have a favorable view of Israel. When broken down by religion, 49% of Muslim Arabs view Israel positively, compared to 61% of Christian Arabs and as many as 94% of Druze Arabs. Clearly, animosity is strongest among Muslims.
Intra-Arab Divisions
Within the Arab minority, there are divisions among Muslims, Christians, Druze, and Bedouins. 84% of Arabs are Sunni Muslims, 8% are Christians, and 8% are Druze. The Negev Bedouins are among the most neglected indigenous groups in Israel, despite their loyalty to the state. They number around 200,000, and nearly half of them live in villages without water or electricity. Just over half live in seven towns built by the government specifically for them. The remaining 90,000 live in 46 villages, 35 of which are still unrecognized. Unlike in the past, most Bedouins no longer lead a nomadic life due to border fences. Bedouins differ significantly from other Arabs in that nationality matters less to them. Some voluntarily serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), even though they are Arabs and not required to serve.
A smaller proportion of Muslim, Christian, and Druze Israeli Arabs also serve in the military, even though they are legally exempt, like other minorities. This exemption was a logical decision by the Israeli government, since Arab soldiers might have to fight against fellow Arabs in Gaza or the West Bank. Regardless of how they identify, the Arab identity connects Arabs in Israel and Palestine. It’s questionable whether Arabs would want to fight each other, which is why the Israeli government does not want them in combat units.
Role in Sports
Israeli Arabs have long been present on the Israeli sports scene, both in clubs and national teams. Their visibility has increased over the past few decades. The first Israeli Arab to gain international recognition was Rifaat Turk, who played for the Israeli national football team in the 1970s and 1980s. His success paved the way for future generations. Today, Israeli Arabs play a significant role in national teams, especially in football. Players like Bibras Natcho, a former captain of the Israeli national team and player for FK Partizan, and Munas Dabbur, who played for Hoffenheim and Sevilla, are examples of globally successful Israeli-Arab athletes.
Beyond football, Israeli Arabs also compete in sports such as basketball, athletics, and handball. Their participation in national teams has multiple positive effects. First, it promotes integration and reduces tensions in Israeli society. Second, the success of these athletes inspires young Israeli Arabs by showing that they can achieve great things despite the challenges they face. Third, Israeli Arabs who successfully represent their country in international competitions help promote a positive image of Israel globally. Their success contributes to building bridges between different peoples.
Conclusion
Israeli Arabs are an important part of Israeli society, with a rich history, complex identity, and significant challenges. Their intriguing story reflects broader social, political, and cultural dynamics within Israel. Understanding the status and contributions of Arabs is essential to fully grasp Israeli society and Arab-Israeli relations. Despite divisions, Jews and Arabs have shown that they can live in peace and help each other when needed. This was most evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Jewish and Arab doctors and medical staff joined forces.
Discrimination and challenges remain, but with time and the growing Arab population, their status may improve and become more equal to that of Jews. Young Arabs aged 18 to 22 make up the largest percentage in any age group—29%, compared to 21% overall. Arabs are aware that life in Israel, whether in times of peace or conflict, is better than life in the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank. In fact, many Arab citizens of Israel enjoy a higher standard of living than their fellow Arabs across the Middle East, a region torn by constant wars, crises, and political instability.
Author: Matija Šerić
Featured image: AI
