On February 15th, 2007, American Friends of IDI (AFIDI) Board members met with Arab leaders at a local restaurant to discuss Arab-Jewish relations in Israel and IDI's proposal for a Constitution by Consensus. Over lunch, they heard a fascinating presentation from leading sociologist Prof. Majid Al-Haj of Haifa University, who addressed core issues concerning the Arab minority in Israel. This comes at a time when the Israeli Arabs are issuing position papers questioning the Jewish nature of the State of Israel. A lively discussion followed, with the participation of writer and journalist Nazir Majali, Taha Muhammad Ali - Chairman of the union of Arab athletes and poets, Wajie Kayuf, director of an NGO dedicated to promoting democracy in the Arab community in Israel, and writer and journalist Salem Jubran. The bottom line was that middle of the road Arabs are willing to accept a Jewish state where they will be equal citizens, and are willing to discuss favorably the draft constitution offered by IDI which promises just that.
Professor Majid Al-Haj, Dean of Research, Head of the Center for Multiculturalism and Educational Research, and Professor of Sociology at the University of Haifa, expressed his belief in multiculturalism. He pointed out that Israel is probably one of the most diverse countries in terms of its social structure. In Israel, there is a varied Jewish majority, and the Arab minority consists of 18% of the population. Of these 18%, 82% are Muslim, 10% are Christian, and 8% are Druze. Ironically, the Arab minority has the mentality of a majority, as part of the Middle East. And, the Jews are the opposite – they live in fear of becoming a minority. Knowing this, he claims, is the basis towards reaching understanding. Israel lacks social policy which perpetuates the deep divide in this society not only between Jews and Arabs, but between other groups as well such as immigrants and veterans, the religious and secular.
The most important achievement for Arabs in Israel is the rise in education, says Professor Al-Haj. In the 1960's there were 400 Arab undergraduate students, and today there are 50 thousand – 15 thousand of which study in Israeli colleges and universities. Additionally, over half of these figures account for women. But, this is only a partial modernization because it does not translate into employment. Arabs are only employed in the margins, and not in senior positions. Only 3% of those employed in high-tech are Arab. An alienated elite leads to radicalization and extremism and the Arab elite is not being integrated. The lack of multicultural ideology is seen in the educational system. There is no shared civil culture and identities develop as contradictory and not complementary to one another. This is a dangerous situation to any society. While Israel is the strongest military power in the Middle East, it is a weak society. There is a rich economy and a poor society. 25% of Jews and 50% of Arabs and Haredim (ultra-Orthodox Jews) live below the poverty line. The danger most prevalent to Israel is internal and not external and includes violence, poverty, social inequality, and lack of shared civility.
He compared the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians as follows: The peace process is irreversible. Both sides must learn to act out of mutual interest if for no other reason then because there is no other alternative.
When asked, Professor Al-Haj said that the overall vision of the Israeli Arabs is to be recognized as a national indigenous group. The vision of the Arabs in Israel is to continue being citizens of Israel even after a Palestinian state will be formed. The Arabs in Israel do not want to be isolated. They seek to be recognized as a national minority – an integral part of society. They see themselves as Palestinians and support the formation of a Palestinian state to be agreed upon by both sides.
The Arabs in Israel dream of equality. The educated generation that is maturing are citizens of the world in terms of their aspirations to fulfill themselves and be part of Israeli society and to continue learning. They dream of a better future for Israel and a stronger “civil circle.”
Professor Al-Haj sees a contradiction between Israel being a Jewish and Democratic state.
Mr. Nazir Majali, writer and journalist for Jewish and Arab newspapers and analyst of Israeli affairs in journals and media channels within the Arab world, is active in leading coexistence dialogues around the country and has recently led a group of Israeli Arabs on a visit to death camps in Poland.
Majali ended his speech with the following words: “I didn't come here to tell you what you want to hear. What I say in Ramallah, I say in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and Tamra – which is what I think.”
What Majali said prior to these words was that he thinks that Arabs and Jews need to learn to live together. It doesn't necessarily bother him that Israel is a Jewish country, but what does bother him are the symbols and the anthem. He said that Israel needs an anthem that will suit all of its citizens.
“Even if a Palestinian state will flourish,” said Majali, “this is my state.” He then expressed his wish for himself and his family to stay in Israel.
Majali also said that Palestinians used to see Jews as soldiers and cops – the “occupier” - and not as poets and actors. And, when Jews hear Arabic, they’re scared; they think that they are encountering a murderer or a suicide bomber. Majali continued and said that these stereotypes can be removed through educational programs and by translating literature, from Arabic to Hebrew and from Hebrew to Arabic.
Other key speakers included:
Mr. Taha Muhammad Ali - Chairman of the union of Arab athletes and poets in Israel is one of the leading poets on the contemporary Palestinian literary scene. He has published several collections of poetry and is also a short story writer.
Mr. Salem Jubran - Writer, journalist, and editor of the Sakhnin- based newspaper Al Ahali
Mr. Wajie Kayouf - Inspector, the Ministry of Education