There is a discrimination problem in Israel.
Although there are certainly ways to point to certain government policies (education; the "Jewish" schools get much more government funding than the "Arab" schools) sometimes it is the subtle ways that create an environment rich in discriminatory feelings.
According to a recent examination of a year's worth of newspapers in Israel, it was found that of all the articles, only 1.5% of them had to do with Israeli Arab issues, and of that, over half of them were about violence of some sort.
I heard Dov Lautman, a major and very respected Israeli Philanthropist, say that Israel discriminates against its minority population. He also said, "if you really care about Israel and the Jewish majority, then you had better care about the minority." Dov and his family fund has been supporting Israeli initiatives for the better part of 30 years. He sees some growth, but the society needs to change perceptions.
Economic development and education; these are the two major components of change discussed.
I've said for years that commerce is the way to create peace. I will add that education, especially through an integrative educational system, will nurture the seeds of more co-existence.
I heard another statistic today; of the 20% of the minority only 8% of them contribute to Israel's GNP. More from the minority need to contribute to the workforce. there are barriers; cultural, religious, educational, and fear.
Did you know that many religious Arab women will not travel far from their homes to work. Work opportunities must be created close to (or in) Arab neighborhoods.
As I said before, only 20% of minority women work in Israel; compared to over 78% of Jewish women.
In education, Arab women only represent about 25% of those who go on to post K-12 education. This is good news actually; in 1990 that number was only 8%. But the other bad news if that over 28% of Arab girls end their education before they reach high school.
Dov Lautman talked of two parallel paths, bettering the education system and developing a shared society. He talked of closing the gaps in both areas through funding joint Arab-Jewish projects that, at least to my ears, sounded like proving to the Israeli government and the nay-sayers and those fearful of an Arab takeover of Israel that these things will improve Israel for all her citizens.
Should we be fearful of that notorious story that the Arabs are just looking for ways to continue to build themselves within Israel so that, sometime soon, the Arab population will increase toward parity and then, with a majority, Israel will cease to exist?
Do we live in the past? Should we continue the myths of the past? Are we so afraid of our own citizens that we discriminate against them, which in turn makes them angrier, and brings bad press to Israel?
Don't you think it would be in Israel's best interest to show the world that all her citizens enjoy all the fruits of democracy, all the educational opportunities available to all, work opportunities and social engagement that includes all?
Israel is not for the Jews. Israel is for her citizens. When I support Israel, I don't distinguish between the Jew or Arab. Neither should you.
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