Israeli society must also take collective responsibility. Violence in Arab communities is not just “their problem” – it is a problem for all of us.
The difference in murder rates between Jews and Arabs in Israel in 2023 is about 60% greater than the difference in murder rates between black and white communities in the US.
The survey by the Lazar Research Institute highlights deep fractures in Israeli society, with rising ideological, national, and religious tensions threatening national unity.
Israel is a democratic state that offers equal rights to all its citizens, including Palestinian citizens of Israel – who make up about 20% of the population.
"The decline in employment among Arabs and haredim is concerning given the well-known challenges these populations face in the labor market," according to a report by the Taub Center.
Whether speaking Hebrew, English, or Arabic, I’m frequently asked where I’m “really from.”
The Israeli government has approved a massive investment to boost Hebrew language education in the Arab sector, aiming to enhance academic and employment opportunities.
A large majority of Arab citizens surveyed ranked violence and crime in the Arab sector as the most concerning issue, followed by anti-Arab racism, housing and land shortages, and education.
“For me, the State of Israel is everything: its well being is my well being, and its challenges are my challenges,” says Nael Zoabi, a Muslim Arab Israeli educator and advocate.
"It appears, however, that under the dark shadow cast by the war over all citizens of Israel, both Arabs and Jews, meaningful bright spots are emerging," research leader Dr. Arik Rudnitzky remarked.