Israel Urged to Seek Forgiveness from Arab Citizens for Integration Failures

As the Jewish High Holidays approach, an article in Zman Israel argues for a broader scope of introspection, extending beyond Jewish interpersonal relations to include Arab citizens of Israel. The author, former diplomat Yehuda Yaakov, draws parallels to the Jewish concept of Teshuvah (repentance) and the Sukkot holiday's emphasis on hospitality, citing Abraham's welcoming of strangers as a model.

Yaakov highlights the critical second five-year plan for advancing the Arab community, Government Decision 550 from October 2021, which is nearing its expiration without a successor in sight. He criticizes the lack of attention to this issue in the current election campaign, despite the Arab population comprising 21% of Israel's citizens. The plan, intended to build on the success of its predecessor, has reportedly seen its budget cut by up to 22% since its approval.

Despite budget challenges and a continued rise in violence within the Arab community, where 80% of murder victims are Arab, the article points to significant integration achievements. These include a rise in Arab citizens pursuing higher education, increased employment among Arab women (approaching the 2030 target of 53%), and a growing interest in non-military national service. Examples cited include Lt. Col. Ella Waweya, the highest-ranking Muslim woman in the IDF, and First Sergeant Sofia Alem of the Israel Police.

Further evidence of integration is seen in East Jerusalem, where about 50% of Arab students attend Israeli higher education institutions, with women comprising 70% of them. Employment rates for women in East Jerusalem have also risen significantly. In the Negev, 81% of Bedouin students pursuing bachelor's degrees are women, and Bedouin women's participation in the workforce has grown to 39%.

Yaakov acknowledges ongoing challenges, such as a rise in young Arab adults who are neither studying nor working, and the slow integration of Arab teachers into the Hebrew education system. However, he concludes that Jewish tradition mandates caring for the 'stranger' and that, in the spirit of Yom Kippur, Israelis should seek forgiveness from their Arab citizens for not doing enough to advance their integration, while also signaling the need for a third five-year plan.