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Sa'ar: Arab citizens' search for equality stymied by conflict with Palestinians
By RON FRIEDMAN, Jan 23, 2010 22:05
Political leaders gathered on Thursday to take part in the 5th annual Jaffa Convention on relations between Jewish and Arab citizens.
Seven cabinet ministers and more than a dozen MKs attended and spoke about the challenges facing the non-Jewish population in its search for equality in the Jewish state.
The conference, which took place two days after Israel received a stinging report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development criticizing it for its large social gaps that disadvantage Arab Israelis and haredim, was once again held under the slogan "A Call to Action."
Many of the speakers referred to the report, describing it as a "mirror for the Israeli society," and expressing hope that change could be achieved.
"The day has come to turn over a new leaf in the relationship between the State of Israel and the Arab minority," said Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar (Likud). "Though it is in the common interest of all Israelis to do so, there are two main obstacles preventing it from happening: first, the Arab-Israeli and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, which strongly influence the Arab-Jewish relationship and will continue to do so until they are resolved; and second, the strong currents in both the Arab and the Jewish populations that promote segregation and alienation of the Arab population from the state."
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai (Labor) said that until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was resolved, equal rights would never be on the top of the national agenda, but that on the local level things could be corrected more easily. He cited Jaffa as an example of the course of actions that should be followed.
Former Meimad MK Michael Melchior, the founder and chairman of the Citizens Accord Forum for Jews and Arabs in Israel, which organized the convention, said it was impossible to wait for the external conflict to end in order to solve the internal inequalities. In a state that describes itself as Jewish and democratic, Arabs should not be subject to the kind of discrimination that currently exists in terms of practical realities and government policies, he said..
"It reeks of hypocrisy and double standards when the government and the Knesset speak of equality and at the same time hold discussions on loyalty tests and promote segregation laws," said Zuaretz. "A democracy is tested on its attitudes towards its minorities and we all know that if you are not wealthy, fair-skinned and educated, your chances of succeeding in life are reduced. If you are a Beduin woman from Rahat, nobody glances in your direction."
"Throughout the state's existence we have not provided the Arabs with equality. We all know it, but have done nothing to correct it," Livni said.
Livni said that the conflict with the Palestinians had a critical effect on Arab-Jewish relations because the conflict was one of nationalities. The only solution to the conflict was two-states, and once that was achieved the Arabs in Israel would have to let go of their national aspirations and seek to integrate fully in Israeli society, she said.
"The Arab leadership must come out and say that they want to be full citizens in the State of Israel and be willing to fight for their rights. I will fight alongside you in that battle," said Livni.
The discrepancies between Arabs and Jews in Israel was one of the main problems holding Israel back from gaining membership in the OECD, Braverman said. Israel met most of the requirements to join the group of developed countries, including regarding GDP and entrepreneurial activities, but when it came to employment inequality, Israel was in last place among all developed countries, Braverman said.
'Arab citizens' search for equality stymied by conflict' | Israel | Jerusalem Post
By RON FRIEDMAN, Jan 23, 2010 22:05
Political leaders gathered on Thursday to take part in the 5th annual Jaffa Convention on relations between Jewish and Arab citizens.
Seven cabinet ministers and more than a dozen MKs attended and spoke about the challenges facing the non-Jewish population in its search for equality in the Jewish state.
The conference, which took place two days after Israel received a stinging report from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development criticizing it for its large social gaps that disadvantage Arab Israelis and haredim, was once again held under the slogan "A Call to Action."
Many of the speakers referred to the report, describing it as a "mirror for the Israeli society," and expressing hope that change could be achieved.
"The day has come to turn over a new leaf in the relationship between the State of Israel and the Arab minority," said Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar (Likud). "Though it is in the common interest of all Israelis to do so, there are two main obstacles preventing it from happening: first, the Arab-Israeli and the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, which strongly influence the Arab-Jewish relationship and will continue to do so until they are resolved; and second, the strong currents in both the Arab and the Jewish populations that promote segregation and alienation of the Arab population from the state."
Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai (Labor) said that until the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was resolved, equal rights would never be on the top of the national agenda, but that on the local level things could be corrected more easily. He cited Jaffa as an example of the course of actions that should be followed.
Former Meimad MK Michael Melchior, the founder and chairman of the Citizens Accord Forum for Jews and Arabs in Israel, which organized the convention, said it was impossible to wait for the external conflict to end in order to solve the internal inequalities. In a state that describes itself as Jewish and democratic, Arabs should not be subject to the kind of discrimination that currently exists in terms of practical realities and government policies, he said..
"It reeks of hypocrisy and double standards when the government and the Knesset speak of equality and at the same time hold discussions on loyalty tests and promote segregation laws," said Zuaretz. "A democracy is tested on its attitudes towards its minorities and we all know that if you are not wealthy, fair-skinned and educated, your chances of succeeding in life are reduced. If you are a Beduin woman from Rahat, nobody glances in your direction."
"Throughout the state's existence we have not provided the Arabs with equality. We all know it, but have done nothing to correct it," Livni said.
Livni said that the conflict with the Palestinians had a critical effect on Arab-Jewish relations because the conflict was one of nationalities. The only solution to the conflict was two-states, and once that was achieved the Arabs in Israel would have to let go of their national aspirations and seek to integrate fully in Israeli society, she said.
"The Arab leadership must come out and say that they want to be full citizens in the State of Israel and be willing to fight for their rights. I will fight alongside you in that battle," said Livni.
The discrepancies between Arabs and Jews in Israel was one of the main problems holding Israel back from gaining membership in the OECD, Braverman said. Israel met most of the requirements to join the group of developed countries, including regarding GDP and entrepreneurial activities, but when it came to employment inequality, Israel was in last place among all developed countries, Braverman said.
'Arab citizens' search for equality stymied by conflict' | Israel | Jerusalem Post
