On Israeli-Arab patriotism

A comprehensive survey presented at the Herzliya Conference showed that 94 percent of Israel's Jews and 27 percent of its Arabs declared themselves willing to fight to protect the country. The media presented the figure as "only 27 percent," emphasizing the gap between Jews and Arabs. "Only" 27 percent? Is it a small matter that under the present circumstances, in a country that does not expect Arabs in general to be drafted, that every fourth Arab citizen is willing to protect that country?

The rest of the survey presents a more positive picture of the attitude toward the state than that expressed publicly by most of the Arab leaders and spokespeople: 44 percent of Israel's Arabs "are proud to be Israeli citizens"; 24 percent say they are "patriotic Israelis to a great extent"; and 35 percent say they are "patriotic Israelis to some extent."

Is Israel better than other countries? Sixty-six percent of the Jews think it is, and no less than 77 percent of the Arabs. Moreover, the long-term trend is positive. In 2000, "only" 22 percent of Israel's Arabs said they were willing to fight for the state, and in 1995 "only" 55 percent said that Israel was better than other countries.

Clearly, when Arabs speak of "other countries" they have the neighboring ones in mind. But who among the leaders of this community would say publicly that Israel is better than most other countries? According to other surveys, a clear majority of Arabs is ready to accept the definition of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, on condition that equality for its Arab citizens and a Palestinian state alongside it are assured.


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