The Arab Minority in Israel Between a Jewish State and a Democratic state

From “Fifth Column” to Equal Citizens  After the War of independence, 156,000 Arabs stayed in the territory which became the State of Israel  The declaration of Independence promised complete equality.  Arabs participate in the elections. Arab Knesset members (Communists, MAPAI - related)  Martial Law ( ): implemented in territories populated by Arabs. Travel restrictions. Night curfew. Canceled by 1966

Forces of Integration  The right to vote.  Recognition of Arabic as a formal language.  The Histadrut, changed its name and dropped the Jewish exclusivity from it (1959)  Reconciliation with the Arab World (after 1977, the 1990’s)  Working in Jewish cities and villages.  Involvement in sports

Force of Segregation  The law of return and the definition of Israel as a Jewish State  A separate education system  Arabs are not recruited to the army. Bedouins volunteer, Druze serve like other Israeli Jews  The Kafr Qasim massacre (1956).  Al Ard party (1965)  The political representation.

Israel – a Democracy or a Jewish State Democracy Law of return to Jews A Jewish State right to vote Arabs right to vote “A Jewish Democratic State”

From Equal Citizens to a National Minority  Regulations restricted the ownership of land.  Land Day 1976 – protests against land expropriation  The rise of Arab nationalist parties (the 1980’s) and the Moslem movement  The “October Riots” (2000) and the Or commission  The surviving generation, the Worn-out generation, the Stand-tall generation