by Prof. Amnon Rubenstein
Recent polls suggest the overwhelming majority of Israeli Arabs prefer peaceful coexistence over any form of violence • Steps must be taken to make the most out of this momentum.
The case of Nashat Milhem, who after carrying
out the Jan. 1 shooting in Tel Aviv found refuge in the northern Arab
town of Arara, is frightening and disconcerting, but we cannot allow it
to distract us from the shift taking place among the majority of Israeli
Arabs.
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center
reviewed how local populations across the Middle East relate to the
Islamic State group. Lebanon, which is under the jihadi group's direct
threat, topped the list in its opposition. Israel's Muslim community
came in second with an overwhelming 97% of participants saying they
oppose the group, and only 1% saying they were sympathizers.
The Pew survey made an interesting comparison
between Muslims inside Israel and those in Judea and Samaria and the
Gaza Strip, where 6% of participants expressed support for Islamic State
and 84% opposed it. The difference between the Muslims in Israel and
those in Judea and Samaria is dramatic, indicating that there is more to
this than a standard statistical deviation, much more.
Like many other polls conducted in Israel,
this one indicates that a serious shift is taking place among much of
the Arab public in Israel, one that is not reflected by Arab MKs. True,
even 1% of Islamic State supporters, which translates to 15,000 people,
could wreak havoc on Israel given the chance, but one cannot ignore the
significant gap between Israeli Arabs and Palestinians. This suggests
that on the one hand, there is a potentially bright future for
Jewish-Arab relations inside the State of Israel, while on the other
hand there is a potentially bleak future for Jewish-Arab relations in
Greater Israel.
I believe the shift among Israeli Arabs stems
from their deep disappointment from the Arab world and their slow,
hesitant integration in Israeli society and economy. For the first time
in years, the heads of Arab local authorities have voiced their
unequivocal support for cooperating with Israel and the Jews, and have
urged their publics to abandon the paths of conflict.
An article published by the financial daily
The Marker in September quoted Talal Al-Krenawi, mayor of the southern
Bedouin town of Rahat, as saying, "I propose we change the conversation
between us. Let's base it on shared successes, not tragedies. In other
words, let's actually coexist instead of focus on threats. … In Rahat
itself we have several successful projects that illustrate our ability
to succeed in building a mixed society, Jewish and Arab, which not only
lives together, but works together and thrives together."
In October, at the height of the "stabbing
intifada," Nazareth Mayor Ali Salam leveled scathing criticism at Joint
Arab List MKs, telling Israel Hayom, "The truth is, there is no other
option but to live together. Do you know another way? Coexistence is the
only [option], in Israel -- between Jews and Israeli Arabs, living side
by side, in equality. And between Israel and the Palestinians -- two
states for two peoples.
"I am angry with them [the Arab MKs]. It's
terrible, how they don't really care about the Arab public ... they set
the ground on fire and leave us to deal with the flames."
Salam later said, "I'm a Palestinian Israeli.
We are originally Palestinian and we're Israeli citizens. I have no
problem living in peace in a state with a Jewish majority, and I'm
telling you that 99% of the Arabs are like me. This is my country and
I've never thought ill of Israel. It doesn't mean I'm not upset about
what's happening with the Palestinians … but we can't allow extremists
on either side to set the country on fire."
The government's recent decision to allocate
significant funds to the Arab sector's development will, if carried out
as planned, boost this shift, and Jewish-Arab initiatives in the fields
of joint education and industry will bolster it on the ground.
In last week's Israel Hayom weekend magazine,
former national security adviser and military intelligence research head
Yaakov Amidror explained that "over the past four months, only three
Israeli Arabs have committed acts of terror. Out of 1.5 million people,
two used knives and one used a gun. That is truly a drop in the bucket.
"Israel must find a way to leverage the
situation and ensure Israeli Arabs make the most of what a democracy
like Israel, a nation of law and order, can offer its citizens. The fact
that Israeli Arabs have not joined the cycle of violence is another
indication of their successful integration in society, and this process
must be supported and accelerated."
How can we accelerate this process? I suggest the following:
First, a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazareth. Symbolic acts can go a long way.
Second, mixed cities must learn from the
successful reality in Jaffa, and take steps in the direction of joint
bilingual studies.
Third, the Education Ministry must outline the
curriculum for these joint bilingual studies. While we are currently
focusing on a handful of mixed cities, projected population growth
indicates that in the future, most Israeli cities will be mixed cities.
Therefore, the Education Ministry must eliminate the separate school
registrations for Jews and Arabs.
Fourth, the most productive coexistence
efforts are the ones devoid any ideological or political debate. Such
joint efforts should include teaching in kindergartens and lower
elementary school grades, artistic activities, and government-sponsored
business initiatives. In contrast, joint meetings between high school
students often result in friction and conflict.
Another step should address the growing demand
within the Arab sector to perform voluntary national service. It is
very important that this service takes place in mixed settings, allowing
Jews and Arabs to interact on a daily basis.
Measures should also be taken to expand the
jurisdiction of the local Arab authorities. This will both right a wrong
and serve as a vehicle for their development.
Also, the Council for Higher Education's
Planning and Budgeting Committee must support Israeli-Arab colleges and
promote sought-after disciplines. There is no reason for thousands of
Arabs to pursue higher education in Jordanian universities.
While the skeptics will question whether these steps
could prove effective, they serve the clear interest of coexistence.
Without improving the level of education in Arab schools, Israel will be
unable to perform better in international rankings; without an increase
in Arab employment, we will be unable to increase the gross national
product per capita; and without a policy of coexistence, we could end up
with a policy of co-death.
Prof. Amnon Rubenstein
Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=31129
Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.
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