Jewish & Non-Jewish Israelis – Majorities & Minorities
Music
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DAM: Born Here
In Hebrew with English subtitles, this music video features the iconic Palestinian hip-hop group DAM rapping about the discrimination they experience in their hometown of Lod, an Israeli city with a sizeable Arab population. Made up of three Arab-Israelis who identify as Palestinians, DAM is an
Shadia Mansour: Al Kufiyyeh (The Arabic Scarf)
This music video features Shadia Mansour, “the first lady of Arabic hip-hop,” and M-1, an American rapper and activist, rapping about the “kufiyyeh” (Arabic scarf) as a symbol of Arab identity and the Palestinian struggle. Although Mansour was born in London, her parents are Christian Palestinians
Hatikvah: A Controversial Version of the Israeli National Anthem in Arabic Musical Style
Released in honor of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel, this controversial version of Israel’s national anthem was produced by Israeli artist, Daniel Saadon, in a traditional Arabic musical style. Criticized by some as cultural appropriation and celebrated by others
Informative Articles & Videos
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Arab-Jewish Relations Index 2017
This report summarizes the findings of the 2017 Arab-Jewish Relations Index, an annual survey conducted by Professor Sammy Smooha of the University of Haifa concerning the relationship between Israel’s Jewish and Arab citizens. While the study reveals a deterioration in coexistence and a decline in
The Status of Arabs in Israeli Society
This video from i24NEWS (16:00) presents a heated debate between Sami Abu Shehadeh, an Arab-Israeli historian, politician and community leader, and Yoram Sheftel, a Jewish-Israeli defense attorney and radio host, about the status of Israel’s Arab minority in Israeli society, including questions of self-identification, integration, discrimination, and
The State of Israeli Democracy: How Do Israelis Feel About Israel?
This informative video (02:11) presents the findings of the Israel Democracy Institute’s 2016 Israeli Democracy Index, an annual survey of how the Israeli public feels about government institutions, the Jewish and democratic characters of the state, politics, and more. With visual graphs presenting statistics, the video shows
What Jews & Arabs Think of the Role of Arabs in Israeli Society
In this informative video (02:11) from 2018, Nasreen Hadad Haj-Yahya, Co-Director of the Arab-Jewish Relations Program at the Israel Democracy Institute, presents the findings of a study on the complex relationship between Arabs and Jews in Israel. In Hebrew with English subtitles, the video explores issues such
Murder of Young Woman in Arab-Israeli Village Sheds Light on Police Inactivity
This i24NEWS segment (02:19) from 2018 examines the problem of violence against women in Israeli society in general and Arab-Israeli communities specifically through the murder of 16 year old Yara Aroub from the Arab-Israeli village of al-Jish. The video points to both police and government inactivity as
“Honor Killings” in Arab-Israeli Society & Israel’s Response
Produced by CGTN, this news segment (02:48)Â explores the phenomenon of so-called “honor killings” in Arab-Israeli society and whether the Israeli government and police are doing enough to protect women and prosecute murderers.Â
Violence Against Women in Israel and the Middle East
Produced in the wake of the 2018 protests against violence against women, in this i24NEWS segment (07:06), journalist Mohammad Al-Kassim and activist Gabriella Dekalo Dor explore the phenomenon of violence against women in Israeli society in general, as well amongst the Arab-Israeli population and Arab and
Comparing Israeli & American Affirmative Action Programs in Universities
In this article from the Huffington Post, Sigal Alon, associate professor in the department of sociology and anthropology at Tel Aviv University and the author of Race, Class, and Affirmative Action, compares the affirmative action policies in universities in Israel and the United States. As opposed to
Sayed Kashua: Arab-Israeli Journalist Discusses Identity, Zionism & Inequality
In this short video (01:57), Sayed Kashua, a Hebrew-language author, journalist and comedian, discusses his identity as a Palestinian Arab citizen of Israel, his rejection of Zionism, and his frustration with inequality in Israeli society. Kashua, who grew up in the Arab-Israeli city of Tira, moved
Ayman Sikseck: Arab-Israeli Author Discusses Identity & Compassion
In this first half of this video from i24News (00:40-08:00), Arab-Israeli author, Ayman Sikseck discusses the challenges of bridging his Israeli and Arab identities, especially in times of conflict. Filmed during the 2014 Gaza-Israel War, he emphasizes the need to listen to those with different opinions,
Nasreen Qadri: Arab-Israeli Singer Talks About Her Identity & Music
In this short interview (02:55), in Hebrew with English subtitles, Nasreen Qadri discusses her identity as an Arab, Muslim Israeli who sings in both Arabic and Hebrew and will perform anywhere, even in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Although she went through the process
Lucy Aharish: Arab-Israeli News Anchor Lights the Independence Day Torch
Produced by i24News in 2015, this video (05:54) introduces Lucy Aharish, a Muslim Arab-Israeli news anchor, reporter and television host who was one of twelve Israeli personalities chosen to light a torch in the official ceremony kicking off Israel’s 67th Independence Day celebrations. A proud Israeli who is outspoken about
Thoughts from an Israeli, Arab, Muslim IDF Soldier
In this short video (01:17), Yahya Mahamid, an Israeli, Arab, Muslim from the Arab city of Uhm al Fahm, describes his pride in volunteering to serve in a combat unit in the Israel Defense Forces.Â
Arabs Volunteering in Israel’s National Civil Service: Both Sides of the Story
In Hebrew with English subtitles, this news segment from Channel 2 News (08:53) explores different perspectives on the question of Arab citizens of Israel volunteering in Israel’s National Civil Service, an alternative to military service offered to various sectors in Israeli society. The video features
Fighting for the Enemy? Arab-Israelis Who Reject & Support Military Service
Produced by RT global news channel, this news segment (03:16) explores both sides of the controversy over Arab-Israelis serving in the Israel Defense Forces. Produced in 2012, at a time when Israel was reviewing the draft laws that exempt ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arab-Israelis from military
Why Are More Israeli-Arabs Enlisting In The IDF?
Produced by the ILTV independent media company dedicated to defending Israel with balanced reporting, this video (04:00) explores the growing phenomenon of Israel’s Arab citizens volunteering to serve in the Israel Defense Forces and national service programs, despite backlash from their communities. Interviews with Arab-Israelis
Cultural Figures & Average Citizens Embracing Palestinian Identity
In Hebrew/Arabic with English subtitles, this video (05:37) explores the trend of Arab citizens of Israel beginning to identify more as Palestinians than Arab-Israelis. Through interviews with Tamer Nafar, an Arab rapper, and a Bedouin community leader, the video shows how this shift in collective identity
Arab Identity in a Jewish & Democratic State
In this thorough article, Karin Tamar Schafferman of the Israel Democracy Institute examines the complexity of Arab self-definition and the relationship between Arabs and Jews in Israel in order to determine whether true equality has been achieved. The author describes the development of these issues
Arab Identity & Building a Shared Society
In this thought-provoking lecture (10:13) from the Shalom Hartman Institute, Rawnak Natour, an Arab-Israeli activist, discusses the factors that contribute to her complex identity and the challenges of building a shared society in Israel. She emphasizes the importance of the Arabic language, connection with the wider Arab
Israeli-Arabs Residents of Umm al-Fahm Discuss Identity & Their Future
Produced by The Media Line, an American non-profit news agency dedicated to producing contextual and nuanced reporting from the Middle East, this video (04:37) explores the complex identity of Israel’s Arab citizens through interviews with some of the residents of Umm al-Fahm, an Arab city in northern
What Does Israel’s Nation-State Bill Mean for Israel’s Minorities?
Produced by i24 News, this news segment (08:36)Â introduces Israel’s Nation-State Law, specifically examining its impact on the country’s minority populations and various responses to the passing of the law. After listing some of the most controversial clauses officially enshrining Israel as the nation-state of the
A Debate on Israel’s Policy Toward African Migrants
This i24News report (13:42) presents a debate between Yonatan Jakubowicz, Director of PR at the Israeli Immigration Policy Center, and Joshua Sobol, playwright and activist against Israel’s migrant policies. It presents the ethical, legal and economic perspectives from both sides.Â
Israel’s African Asylum Seekers: What Needs to Be Done
Written by Irwin Cotler, a former minister of justice and attorney general of Canada, this Times of Israel article urges Israel to stop inciting the public against asylum seekers and set up a proper refugee status determination system. Arguing that there is no contradiction between Israel as a
Why Israel Shouldn’t Deport African Asylum Seekers
Written by Rabbi Susan Silverman, a Reform rabbi, activist and author, this article from Moment Magazine criticizes Israel’s controversial policies toward African migrants and asylum seekers, arguing for Israel to use its innovative genius to create forward-thinking models to solve the problem while improving the
In Defense of Israel’s Policy Toward Illegal African Migrants
Written by Dr. Emmanuel Navon, an Israeli international relations expert, this Times of Israel blog post from 2018 defends Israel’s controversial policy toward illegal African immigrants as consistent with international law and the practice of other democracies. He argues that the vast amount of Africans illegally entering
Illegal Migrants & Refugees in Israel: Major Trends and Background Information
Created by the Jewish Federations of North America in 2018, this thorough 23-page long report provides important information about economic migrants and asylum seekers in Israel. The article defines key terms, differentiating between “economic migrants,” “asylum seekers,” “refugees,” and “illegal aliens,” and then explains the situation of
Exploring the African Migrant Dilemma in Israel
Produced by i24News in 2018, this informative news segment (02:21) summarizes the different perspectives in Israel towards the thousands of African migrants and asylum seekers, legal and illegal, currently living in Israel. While some claim that they are simply seeking economic opportunity and causing harm
Everything You Wanted to Know about Eritreans in Israel But Were Afraid to Ask
Produced by the African Refugee Development Center in Israel, this informative video (03:09) clears up some important “myths and facts” surrounding the issue of Eritrean asylum seekers in Israel, including the realities on the ground in Eritrea, why they come to Israel, the dangers of their
Asylum-Seekers in Israel: Background and Figures
From the ASSAF Aid Organization for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Israel, this 4-page long document provides an introduction to the issue of asylum seekers in Israel, including some important statistics and Israel’s general policy.Â
Israel’s Religiously Divided Society: Graphs
Produced by Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about global trends, this thorough article summarizes the findings of the 2014-2015 study, which provides insight into Israel’s polarized society, revealing the deep political and religious gulfs among Israeli Jews, as well as between Jews,
Introducing Israel’s Minority Communities
From the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this article introduces each of Israel’s minority population groups, including Muslim Arabs, Bedouin Arabs, Christian Arabs, Druze, and Circassians. After providing information about each community’s population, geographical dispersion, and level of integration into Israeli society, the article explains more
Nation-State Law Explainer: What Is It & Why Do So Many People Oppose It?
From the Israel Democracy Institute, this succinct article provides basic information about Israel’s controversial Nation-State Law, including what it is, why so many people oppose it, and a brief explanation of the perspective of those that support it. The Israel Democracy Institute is opposed to
Everything You’ve Heard About Israel’s Nation State Bill Is Wrong
Written by David Hazony, the executive director of the Israel Innovation Fund, this thorough article from The Forward defends Israel’s Nation-State Law, arguing that it is comprised of mostly symbolic declarations that simply reaffirm the core purpose of the country: building a Jewish homeland through sovereignty,
An English Translation of Israel’s Nation-State Law
From the website of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, this 3-page long document presents an unofficial English translation of Israel’s controversial Nation-State Law, a Basic Law with quasi-constitutional status that enshrines Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.
Tribes, Identity & Individual Freedom in Israel
Written by Natan Sachs and Brian Reeves and published by the Center for Middle East Policy, this 23-page long article examines the history and implications of Israel’s attitudes and policies toward individual autonomy, group identity, and the separation of religion and state. It presents the
The Population of Israel
Published by the Jewish People Policy Institute in 2015, this 24-page long study provides a thorough analysis of Israel’s demographic characteristics and trends in order to influence policy-making that will increase the Jewish character of the state while securing the rights of minority groups.The study examines
Arab Citizens of Israel Early in the Twenty-First Century
Written by Arik Rudnitzky, project manager of the Konrad Adenauer Program for Jewish-Arab Cooperation at the Moshe Dayan Center, this 137-page long study assesses the political and social situation of Israel’s Arab citizens early in the twenty-first century, and lists some of the most important literature in the field
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What else?
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StandWithUs: African Migrants & Asylum Seekers Fact Sheet
This 2-page long fact sheet from Stand With Us outlines the challenges faced by Israel in regards to African migrants and asylum seekers as well as a survey of the responses by the Israeli public and government. A pro-Israel education and advocacy organization, StandWithUs highlights Israel as an example of
Holocaust Survivors Urge Israel to Help Refugees
This CNN news segment (01:53)Â reports on Holocaust survivors calling for Israel to take in refugees. Although this video is not specifically talking about Israel’s controversial policy towards African migrants and asylum seekers, the same arguments have been used by many Holocaust survivors and others who
Three Responses to Israel’s Migrant Challenge
Written by the Jewish People Policy Institute in 2018, this thorough 10-page long report provides background information to Israel’s migrant challenge and current policies, followed by a table presenting three policy options which take into account Israel’s Jewish character and interests, Jewish and universal ethical
Former MK Oren Hazan: Deport Sudanese Now!
In this video (05:06), Avi Yemimi, a right-wing Australian-Israeli political activist and internet personality, interviews Oren Hazan, a controversial right-wing former Member of Knesset, about his approach to African migrants in Israel and around the world. Hazan defends Israel’s policy towards the migrants, claiming that they
What Do Locals Think of the Nation-State Law?
Created by TRT World, a Turkish international news channel, this video (04:45) reveals what random local Jews and Arabs on the streets of Jerusalem think about Israel’s controversial 2018 Nation-State Law, which legally enshrines the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people.
Equality Topping on a Nation-State Pizza?
Produced by the Israel Democracy Institute in Hebrew with English subtitles, this creative video (01:59) criticizes Israel’s controversial Nation-State Law for failing to ensure quality to all citizens. It is a dark comedic sketch of a man trying unsuccessfully to order a “Nation-State Pizza” with the “topping of quality” from
In Defense of Israel’s Nation-State Law
In Hebrew with English subtitles, this video (03:15) features Matan Peleg, CEO of Ir Tirtzu, defending Israel’s controversial Nation-State Law. He explains that Israel has many other Basic Laws that protect the country’s democratic nature, including those that ensure minority rights and freedom of worship, but
How the Nation-State Law Challenges Israel’s Democratic Character
This ABC News segment (07:11)Â features Liam Getreu, the Executive Director of the New Israel Fund Australia, describing the opposition of many to Israel’s controversial Nation-State Law, which enshrines the State of Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Getreu argues that the law upsets
A Social Justice Prayer for Asylum Seekers in Israel Based on the Book of Ruth
This introduction to the Book of Ruth is written as a prayer to God to help us apply the lessons of empathy, social justice, and communal responsibility found in this text to Israel’s current efforts to determine the policy regarding African refugees and asylum seekers. it