How many Arab communities are there in Israel?
In Israel's Northern District [151] Arab citizens of Israel form a majority of the population (52%) and about 50% of the Arab population lives in 114 different localities throughout Israel. [152] In total there are 122 primarily if not entirely Arab localities in Israel, 89 of them having populations over two thousand. [153]
How do Arabs feel about living in Israel?
Most Arabs (57.2% in 2019) feel that Israel is a good place to live and prefer (55.6%) to live in Israel than in any other country in the world. Contrary to their political leaders and academic elite, they accept Israel as a Jewish (but not a Zionist) state, while seeking civil equality for themselves and a sovereign state for the Palestinians.
Who are Israel's Arabs and what do they do?
The vast majority of the Israeli Arabs - roughly 83% - are Muslims. Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights; in fact, it is one of the few places in the Middle East where Arab women may vote. Arabs currently hold ten seats in the Knesset.
What is the difference between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel?
The sole legal distinction between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel is that the latter are not required to serve in the Israeli army. This was to spare Arab citizens the need to take up arms against their brethren.
Can Palestinians live freely in Israel?
Since 2008, they are not allowed to live or stay in Israel because of marriage with an Israeli. Israelis who want to visit their partner in Gaza need permits for a few months, and Israelis can visit their first‐degree relatives in Gaza only in exceptional humanitarian cases.
How do Israeli settlements work?
According to the Israeli government, settlements are built on land not registered to Palestinians at the time of the 1967 war, unlike outposts, which are built on land that was registered to Palestinians (and are therefore illegal). Some outposts have been cleared while others were later legalized [source: Simons].
Where do the Israeli settlers live?
Israeli settlement, any of the communities of Israeli Jews built after 1967 in the territories occupied by Israel after the Six-Day War—the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the Sinai Peninsula. Most, but not all, were authorized and supported by the Israeli government.
Why is Israel entitled to the land?
Jewish religious belief defines the land as where Jewish religious law prevailed and excludes territory where it was not applied. It holds that the area is a God-given inheritance of the Jewish people based on the Torah, particularly the books of Genesis and Exodus, as well as on the later Prophets.
What was Palestine before 1948?
In modern times, the area was ruled by the Ottoman Empire, then the United Kingdom and since 1948 it has been divided into Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
Is Israel occupying Palestine land?
BACKGROUND: Palestinian territory – encompassing the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem – has been illegally occupied by Israel since 1967.
What was Israel before 1948?
In 1517, the Ottoman Empire conquered the region, ruling it until the British conquered it in 1917. The region was ruled under the British Mandate for Palestine until 1948, when the Jewish State of Israel was proclaimed in part of the ancient land of Israel.
Why did Israel settle in Palestine?
The movement, citing the biblical belief that God promised Palestine to the Jews, began to buy land there and build settlements to strengthen their claim to the land. At the time, these settlements, built largely on the coastal plain and in the north of the country, were called “Kibbutzim” and “Moshavim”.
What is the largest Israeli settlement?
The four largest settlements, Modi'in Illit, Ma'ale Adumim, Beitar Illit and Ariel, have achieved city status. Ariel has 18,000 residents, while the rest have around 37,000 to 55,500 each.
Is it ethical to move to Israel?
Despite this polarity, travel to Israel can be ethical, but it is important to be fully aware of the situation there, to balance your trip with a visit to the Palestinian territories, and to ensure that your visit doesn't support the Israeli state but rather local communities and small businesses.
How many Israeli settlements are in Palestine?
From 1967 through 2017, over 200 Israeli settlements were established in the West Bank (including East Jerusalem); their current population is almost 620,000.
How did Israel settle in Palestine?
The movement, citing the biblical belief that God promised Palestine to the Jews, began to buy land there and build settlements to strengthen their claim to the land. At the time, these settlements, built largely on the coastal plain and in the north of the country, were called “Kibbutzim” and “Moshavim”.
Where did Sarhan Ganayem live?
Sarhan Ganayem, an Arab Israeli, has lived in Jerusalem settlements for 12 years, first in French Hill and then in Neve Yaakov. But he and his family have had enough.
Where are Arabs moving to?
Arabs move in to Jewish settlements. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Little noticed amid the furor over one of Israel’s most contentious policies, a small but growing number of Arabs are moving into Jewish settlements on occupied land in East Jerusalem, drawn by cheaper rent and better services.
Where is Abu Steve?
Palestinian Abu Steve who resides in Pisgat Ze'ev, an urban settlement in an area Israel annexed to Jerusalem after capturing it in the 1967 Middle East war, poses for a photo outside his store (on L) in the East Jerusalem settlement December 7, 2014. REUTERS/Ammar Awad.
How many sons does the family next door have?
The family next door has two sons in the Israeli army and he said there was never any exchange of greetings with them.
Where does Moussab Abu Ramouz live?
Moussab Abu Ramouz, a Palestinian who works in a supermarket in Neve Yaakov but lives in Beit Hanina, said rents in his area were up to 25 percent more expensive than in the settlement, which also has better public transport.
Is Israel encouraging Jews to settle in Jerusalem?
REUTERS/Ammar Awad. For decades, Israel has encouraged Jews to settle in East Jerusalem, changing the population balance, provoking Palestinian anger and drawing international condemnation. But in one such settlement, around Mount Scopus where the Hebrew University is based and many Palestinians study, about 16 percent of residents are ...
Who is Sabrine Jabber?
Sabrine Jabber, 26, is a Muslim Arab who has spent half her life in Neve Yaakov, a collection of white high-rises that expanded as a settlement in the 1970s.
How many Arabs live in Haifa?
Central and Haifa Districts. 158,900 Arabs live in the Central District, which has a total population of 1,931,000. 237,200 Arabs live in the Haifa District, which has a total population of 939,000. The majority of the Arab population in these areas live along or near the Green Line which separates Israel from the West Bank in an area known as ...
What percentage of the population of East Jerusalem is Arab?
East Jerusalem was joined with West Jerusalem, along with several surrounding Palestinian towns and villages. Today, Arabs constitute 61% of the population of East Jerusalem and 38% of that of Jerusalem as a whole. The following are Arab neighborhoods of Jerusalem.
What are the Arab towns in the Negev?
The largest Arab locality in the Negev is Rahat . Abu Qrenat. Abu Talul. Ar'arat an-Naqab.
How many Arabs live in the Northern District of Israel?
705,200 Arabs live in the Northern District, which has a total population of 1,320,800. In 2008, Arabs made up 53% of the Northern District's population, making it Israel's only district with an Arab majority. 44% of the Arab population lives in this district. Nazareth is the largest city, with a population of approximately 66,000.
Is East Jerusalem part of Israel?
East Jerusalem and Golan Heights are not internationally recognized parts of Israel proper but have been included in this list. The city of Acre has an Arab minority of 32%, while its Old City is 95% Arab. While Arabs constitute 11% of Haifa 's total population, they make up 70% of Lower Haifa's residents. Lod has an Arab population of 30%, ...
When was the Golan Heights captured?
Golan Heights. The Golan Heights was captured during the Six-Day War in 1967 and de facto annexed by Israel in 1981. Israel governs the Golan Heights as a part of the Northern District. As a result of the war, many villages were abandoned.
Where are the Druze in Haifa?
There is a substantial Druze population in the Carmel region and the Wadi Nisnas neighborhood of Haifa.
Why was Azmi Bishara banned?
In December 2002, Azmi Bishara and his party, Balad, which calls for Israel to become "a state of all its citizens," were banned by the Israeli Central Elections Committee, for refusing to recognize Israel as a " Jewish and democratic state " and making statements promoting armed struggle against it. The Supreme Court overruled the decision in January 2003. Bishara served as a Knesset member from 1996 to 2007. He reportedly told an audience in Lebanon in December 2005 that Arab citizens " [...] are like all Arabs, only with Israeli citizenship forced upon them [...] Return Palestine to us and take your democracy with you. We Arabs are not interested in it". Bishara resigned his Knesset office and left the country in 2007 amidst news that criminal charges were being laid against him. He has been charged with espionage and money laundering, stemming from allegations that he gave Hizbullah information on strategic targets that should be attacked with rockets during the 2006 Lebanon War, in exchange for large amounts of money.
How many seats does the Knesset have?
Knesset: Arab citizens of Israel have been elected to every Knesset, and currently hold 17 of its 120 seats. The first female Arab MP was Hussniya Jabara, a Muslim Arab from central Israel, who was elected in 1999.
What happened after the 1967 Six Day War?
After the 1967 Six-Day War, Arab citizens were able to contact Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the first time since the establishment of the state. This along with the lifting of military rule, led to increased political activism among Arab citizens.
How many Bedouins are there in Israel?
According to the Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel, 110,000 Bedouins live in the Negev, 50,000 in the Galilee, and 10,000 in the central region of Israel. Prior to the establishment of Israel in 1948, there were an estimated 65,000–90,000 Bedouin living in the Negev. The 11,000 who remained were relocated by the Israeli government in the 1950s and 1960s to an area in the northeastern Negev comprising 10% of the Negev desert. The Israeli government built seven development towns for the Bedouin between 1979 and 1982. Around half the Bedouin population live in these towns, the largest of which is the city of Rahat, others being Ar'arat an-Naqab (Ar'ara BaNegev), Bir Hadaj, Hura, Kuseife, Lakiya, Shaqib al-Salam (Segev Shalom) and Tel as-Sabi (Tel Sheva).
What was the war between Israel and Israel called?
Most Jewish Israelis refer to the 1948 Arab–Israeli War as the War of Independence, while most Arab citizens refer to it as al-Nakba (the catastrophe), a reflection of differences in perception of the purpose and outcomes of the war.
Why were Ta'al and Balad disqualified?
In 2009, United Arab List – Ta'al and Balad were disqualified, on grounds that they do not recognize the State of Israel and call for armed conflict against it. The Supreme Court of Israel overturned the committee's decision by a majority of eight to one.
How to refer to the Arab citizenry of Israel?
How to refer to the Arab citizenry of Israel is a highly politicized issue, and there are a number of self-identification labels used by members of this community. Generally speaking, supporters of Israel tend to use Israeli Arab or Arab Israeli to refer to this population without mentioning Palestine, while critics of Israel (or supporters of Palestinians) tend to use Palestinian or Palestinian Arab without referencing Israel. According to The New York Times, most preferred to identify themselves as Palestinian citizens of Israel rather than as Israeli Arabs, as of 2012. The New York Times uses both 'Palestinian Israelis' and 'Israeli Arabs' to refer to the same population.
How many Arabs are there in Israel?
Roughly 21% of Israel’s more than nine million citizens are Arabs. The vast majority of the Israeli Arabs - roughly 83% - are Muslims. Arabs in Israel have equal voting rights; in fact, it is one of the few places in the Middle East where Arab women may vote. Arabs hold 15 seats in the 23rd Knesset. Israeli Arabs have also held various government posts.
How many seats does Ra'am hold in the Knesset?
Arabs hold 10 seats in the 24th Knesset, four of which are held by Ra’am. The other parties have been critical of Ra’am for joining the government and accuse it of collaboration and its ability to maintain its populartity will depend on its ability to fulfill its promise to deliver benefits to the Arab community.
What are the gaps between Arabs and Jews?
The Israel Central Bureau of Statistics monitors the gaps between Arabs and Jews by 62 objective and subjective indicators that cover 11 areas of life: Employment, personal safety, health, housing and infrastructures, education, personal and social welfare, environment, civic involvement, material standard of living, leisure, and use of Information and Communication Technology. In 2019, the situation of Jews was better than the situation of Arabs for 50 of the 62 indicators, in three the situation of Arabs and Jews was equal, and in nine the situation of Arabs was better.
What is Israel's policy toward Arabs?
Israel’s policy toward the Arab minority is based on two principles. One is “integration without assimilation.” Integration consists of the extension of civil rights to the Arabs, the acquisition of the basic patterns of Israeli culture by the Arabs, and their incorporation into public institutions. The Arabs become, through “Israelisation,” bilingual and bicultural, accustomed to life in Israeli society and attached to the state. To prevent assimilation, Arabs are accorded separate schools and their life in separate communities is maintained. State authorities neither plan nor approve new mixed villages, towns and neighborhoods. Arabs living next door to Jews are few. Israel does not have civil marriage. Interfaith marriages are rare and not normative. The “integration without assimilation” policy is an accepted goal by both the Arab non-assimilable minority and the Jewish non-assimilating majority.
Why were some of the new Arab conscripts being assigned to the Home Front Command in their localities or villages?
Some of the new Arab conscripts were being assigned to the Home Front Command in their localities or villages because of their familiarity with the local population and its needs.
What is the difference between Arab and Jewish citizens in Israel?
The sole legal distinction between Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel is that the latter are not required to serve in the Israeli army.
Why are there discrepancies in cases solved?
One reason for the discrepancy in cases solved is the lack of cooperation police receive. Rosenthal said, “‘good citizens’ fear the retaliation of organized gangs, which don’t hesitate to take violent revenge on informers and their families.” In addition, Arabs don’t trust the police and have a “general distrust of the ‘Jewish regime.’”
Overview
Arab localities in Israel include all population centers with a 50% or higher Arab population in Israel. East Jerusalem and Golan Heights are not internationally recognized parts of Israel proper but have been included in this list.
According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics census in 2010, "the Arab population lives in 134 towns and villages. About 44 percent of them live in to…
Central and Haifa Districts
158,900 Arabs live in the Central District, which has a total population of 1,931,000. 237,200 Arabs live in the Haifa District, which has a total population of 939,000.
The majority of the Arab population in these areas live along or near the Green Line which separates Israel from the West Bank in an area known as the "Triangle", split into the "Northern Triangle" (or Wadi Ara) and the "Southern Triangle".
Tel Aviv District
18,500 Arabs live in the Tel Aviv District, which has a total population of 1,318,300. 16,000 of them live in Jaffa, where they make up around a third of the population. In 2019 the population of Tel Aviv-Jaffa was 89.9% Jewish, and 4.5% Arabs; among Arabs 82.8% were Muslims, 16.4% were Christians, and 0.8% were Druze.
Jerusalem District
310,700 Arabs live in the Jerusalem District, which has a total population of 987,400. The Arab populations of the Jerusalem District are primarily concentrated in East Jerusalem, which is internationally not considered part of Israel, but there are four other towns that exist within the district's jurisdiction. Abu Ghosh is the largest of them.
• Abu Ghosh 7,698
Southern District
216,200 Arabs live in the Southern District, which has a total population of 1,146,600. The Arab population lives primarily in the northwestern Negev and is entirely composed of Muslim Bedouins. Several towns in the area are not formally recognized by the government and do not receive basic utilities from the state (see unrecognized Bedouin villages in Israel). The largest Arab locality in the Negev is Rahat.
Northern District
705,200 Arabs live in the Northern District, which has a total population of 1,320,800. In 2008, Arabs made up 53% of the Northern District's population, making it Israel's only district with an Arab majority. 44% of the Arab population lives in this district. Nazareth is the largest city, with a population of approximately 66,000.
See also
• Arab citizens of Israel
• Districts of Israel
• Depopulated Palestinian locations in Israel
Overview
The Arab citizens of Israel are the largest ethnic minority in the country. They comprise a hybrid community of Israeli citizens with a heritage of Palestinian citizenship, mixed religions (Muslim, Christian or Druze), bilingual in Arabic and Hebrew, and with varying social identities. Self-identification as Palestinian citizens of Israel has sharpened in recent years, alongside distinct identities inc…
Legal and political status
Israel's Declaration of Independence called for the establishment of a Jewish state with equality of social and political rights, irrespective of religion, race, or sex.
The rights of citizens are guaranteed by a set of basic laws (Israel does not have a written constitution). Although this set of laws does not explicitly include th…
Terminology
How to refer to the Arab citizenry of Israel is a highly politicized issue, and there are a number of self-identification labels used by members of this community. Generally speaking, supporters of Israel tend to use Israeli Arab or Arab Israeli to refer to this population without mentioning Palestine, while critics of Israel (or supporters of Palestinians) tend to use Palestinian or Palestinian Arab without referencing Israel. According to The New York Times, most preferred t…
History
Most Jewish Israelis refer to the 1948 Arab–Israeli War as the War of Independence, while most Arab citizens refer to it as al-Nakba (the catastrophe), a reflection of differences in perception of the purpose and outcomes of the war.
In the aftermath of the 1947–49 war, the territory previously administered by the British …
Sectarian and religious groupings
In 2006, the official number of Arab residents in Israel – including East Jerusalem and Golan Heights permanent residents many of whom are not citizens – was 1,413,500 people, about 20% of Israel's population. The Arab population in 2019 was estimated at 1,890,000, representing 20.95% of the country's population. According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics (May 2003), Muslims, including Bedouins, make up 82% of the entire Arab population in Israel, along with aro…
Population
In 2006, the official number of Arab residents in Israel was 1,413,500 people, about 20% of Israel's population. This figure includes 209,000 Arabs (14% of the Israeli Arab population) in East Jerusalem, also counted in the Palestinian statistics, although 98% of East Jerusalem Palestinians have either Israeli residency or Israeli citizenship. In 2012, the official number of Arab residents i…
Politics
There are three mainstream Arab parties in Israel: Hadash (a joint Arab-Jewish party with a large Arab presence), Balad, and the United Arab List, which is a coalition of several different political organizations including the Islamic Movement in Israel. In addition to these, there is Ta'al. All of these parties primarily represent Arab-Israeli and Palestinian interests, and the Islamic Move…
Economic status
In 2011, Nazareth had over 20 Arab-owned high-tech companies, mostly in the field of software development. According to the Haaretz newspaper the city has been called the "Silicon Valley of the Arab community" in view of its potential in this sphere.
Inequality in the allocation of public funding for Jewish and Arab needs, and wi…