ABSTRACT
Arabic-speaking minorities (approximately 880,000 people in 1992), which comprise about 18 per cent of Israel’s population, differ in all important cultural parameters from the Jewish population. Between both societies, social separation is considerable. They have separate ethnic origins, speak mutually unintelligible languages, belong to and practise independent religions, and often even consider themselves to be of mutally exclusive nationalities (that is, Palestinian, as opposed to Israeli). Geographically, most of the Arabic-speaking minorities are concentrated in three regions: in the Central Galilee (about 60 per cent); in the ‘little triangle’ east of Tel Aviv (about 20 per cent); and, in the arid Negev Desert (approximately 8 per cent). These minorities have been marginal in national politics and their representation in national decision-making bodies is minimal. Although formally they are citizens, voters and office holders, and are promised equal rights by law, they have understandable difficulties in sharing the dream of a Jewish national home. Their cultural and religious reference groups and national symbols are located beyond the borders, in countries which are at war with Israel and which often question or deny Israel’s legitimacy. Consequently, Arab-speaking minorities in Israel have been characterised as victims of suspicion by both Israeli Jews and the wider Arab world (Shimshoni 1982; Lustick 1980; Smooha 1980, 1982).
