ABSTRACT
Institutional separation between ethnic groups characterizes their often tense relations in deeply divided societies. Since separation is the rule in Israel, it is more relevant to assess the proportion of the population that takes exception to it. It is clear that by and large only a minority in both sectors object to the status quo of isolation in the schools, neighborhoods, political parties, and public offices. For some time the Jewish Arabists have proposed the idea of instituting mandatory national service for Arabs in lieu of the military draft. While this possibility was deliberated in 1979 by the Knesset Committee on Foreign and Security Affairs, it has never been seriously considered. In light of the past experience with national service by religious Jewish women, such a plan might call for a one-year assignment of Arab youths to community development projects or services in Arab localities.
