In recent days, the media has prominently covered the hundreds of Israeli Arab demonstrators waving Palestinian flags in cities with mixed Jewish and Arab populations. The images, together with the responses of public figures in the country, created a very negative discourse on social media toward the Arab sector. Is there any way this attitude can be changed?
Let us take, for example, the Druze community: How did it become an inseparable part of Israeli society? Ask anyone on the street, and their answer will be simply that the Druze exemplify a community that contributes to the state and its security and is known for its exemplary citizenship and investment in the community and society in general. With a population of around 140,000, the Druze represent less than 2% of Israel's population. In contrast, the Israeli Arab population, both Christian and Muslim, accounts for some 20% of the population.
How has such a small community done what a group that constitutes one-fifth of Israel's population has found so difficult to do – integrate into Israeli society? It starts at school. The Druze are leaders in the field of education, with the highest percentage of students successfully passing high school matriculation exams. Druze women are among the most educated in the country. In contrast, according to Education Ministry findings from 2017, 61% of Israeli Arab students are defined as weak, as compared to only 5% of Jewish students.
The Druze want to integrate into and feel part of Israeli society. They are trying to influence their reality. There are three Druze lawmakers in the governing coalition, and one of them, Ayoob Kara, is a government minister. In contrast, not one Arab lawmaker is in the coalition. The Arab lawmakers sit comfortably in the opposition, looking for ways to divide the people instead of trying to make things better for their constituents.
There is also the issue of contribution to the state. Druze men have the highest rates of enlistment to the Israel Defense Forces. Hundreds of Druze have fallen in battle, and many have been given citations and decorated for their efforts. Two Druze police officers were murdered nearly a year ago as they acted to thwart a terrorist attack on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City. In the days that followed, the deep ties between the Druze community and wider Israeli society were evident, with Israelis from all over the country attending the soldiers' funerals and comforting their bereaved families.
And yet, there are quite a few similarities between the Druze and the rest of the Israeli Arab population. While the Druze are treated well by Israeli society, they are not entirely equal citizens: The government does not allocate large budgets to Druze communities, infrastructure in Druze villages is largely deficient and the Druze are not always provided equal employment opportunities. Nevertheless, the Druze are in a very different place in Israeli society because of differences in perception.
Israeli Arabs need to calculate a new path. They could learn from the Druze how to approach Israeli society. This is not something that can be done by public figures; it must come from private citizens.
Israeli Arabs must stop playing the part of the victim and take their fate in their own hands by making the necessary effort to become a part of Israeli society.
There are many ways to do this. Volunteering for national service will demonstrate a contribution to society, community and the state. A change must also be made to the school curriculum, which currently puts the Palestinian narrative at the center. There must also be a push to elect to positions of power people who will really work to improve the lives of Israeli Arabs.
The state without a doubt plays a key role in the matter. It is responsible for investing the resources and means necessary to advance the Arab and Druze societies in Israel.
Israeli Arabs, the Druze and Israeli society in general all need for there to be change. It is only through change that we can improve life in Israel for all its citizens.
