Israel Faces Rising Youth Racism, Recalls Past Educational Efforts

A viral video featuring a high school student expressing extreme anti-Arab sentiments has sparked national concern in Israel over the rise of racist and Kahanist ideologies among youth. The student's statements, including "Every Arab should be in the grave" and "I have no problem killing 50 Arabs and dying," highlight a disturbing trend reflected in recent surveys. Data from the Israel Democracy Institute shows a more than doubling of young people supporting preferential rights for Jews over Arabs between 2015 and 2023. A 2024 survey by the Accord Center at the Hebrew University found that 39% of Jewish 10th-12th graders supported revoking voting rights for Arabs, and a quarter favored public segregation and boycotting Arab businesses. Political leanings also reflect this shift, with Itamar Ben-Gvir's party being the second most popular among 18-25 year olds in the 2022 elections.

The article draws a parallel to the 1980s when then-Education Minister Yitzhak Navon confronted similar rising support for racist views, particularly from the Kach party. Navon prioritized education for democracy and combating racism, establishing a dedicated unit and developing curriculum. He famously dismissed a senior official who resisted mandatory meetings between Jewish and Arab youth, emphasizing that democratic education was central, not optional. This approach aimed to instill values of equality and combat racism, contrasting with the current educational landscape.

In contrast, the article criticizes the current government and educational system for inaction. It notes that key education-related positions are held by figures associated with right-wing, nationalist ideologies, while the education minister from the former liberal-nationalist bloc is perceived as doing nothing. Parents are also criticized for prioritizing technical skills over democratic education. The author argues that the education system dedicates insufficient time to fostering democratic identity, with limited mandatory visits to the Supreme Court, few required encounters between Jewish and Arab students, and a weakening of democratic content in civics studies. Teachers promoting democratic values face threats and attacks.

However, there are signs of a shift in political attention, with more liberal-democratic parties proposing educational initiatives and politicians recognizing the importance of the Education Ministry. The author calls for the next government to make democratic education a central pillar, comparable in scope to math or language studies. This includes appointing democracy coordinators in schools, providing teacher training, increasing funding for youth movements promoting democracy, facilitating regular Jewish-Arab student encounters, and establishing a strong, well-funded professional body within the Education Ministry dedicated to democratic education, mirroring efforts focused on Jewish identity.