A recent comprehensive audit conducted by the Office of the State Comptroller and Ombudsman of Israel sheds light on the alarming levels of idleness and rising crime rates among young Arabs in Israel. The report calls for government intervention to address the root causes, provide necessary resources, and foster integration, aiming to bridge socio-economic gaps and create a safer, more productive future for the entire nation.

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On Monday, May 23, 2023, IATF hosted a Zoom call titled “Arab Public Elementary Schools: New Approaches to Narrowing Gaps” with The Israel Center for Educational Innovation (ICEI) to discuss new government efforts and civil sector partnerships to improve performance.

Thumbnail: May 23 Zoom Call featuring (L-R, T-B) Shireen Natour Hafi, Director of Arab Education (Ministry of Education) and Sally Awad Asfour, Director of Programs for Arab Communities and Tamkin (ICEI).

The surge in violence and crime-related incidents targeting Arab citizens in Israel has raised concerns and sparked protests. As the government's efforts to combat crime stall and new policies raise further apprehension, civil society organizations are calling for action to address the underlying challenges faced by the Arab community.

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Since the inauguration of Israel’s thirty-seventh government on December 29, 2022, Israeli society has been in turmoil. Protests that began in early January against various aspects of the new governments’ agenda grew and intensified as they coalesced around proposed judicial reforms and their implications for Israeli democracy. This paper aims to outline the major areas of concern regarding the new government with respect to Arab society, state-minority, and Jewish-Arab relations. It then points to emerging lines of thought about responses in the field.

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Learn how shared Jewish-Arab Ramadan Activities are continuing in 2023.

Photo: Jewish and Arab Alumni of Appleseeds Academy at Iftar in Ramle. Photo courtesy of Orit Bash, Director of Partnerships at Appleseeds.

Following the inauguration of Israel's new government, IATF hosted several opportunities for different American Jewish constituents to discuss the potential impact on Arab citizens with experts in the field. These included a call on judicial reforms and related protests, as well as a series of ‘Brown Bag’ discussions.

Photo: February 27 Zoom call featuring (L-R, T-B) Roy Peled, Nidal Hayek and Nava Ben-Or. 

Ofer Dagan (Sikkuy-Aufoq) and Ilan Amit (IATF) discussed how new government actions are expected to affect Arab society. Their presentation included a review of consequential coalition agreements.