The new Arab generation in Israel is similar in a way to the new ultra-Orthodox generation. The “new Arab,” much like the “new ultra-Orthodox Jew,” demands civic recognition (no longer as a marginalized minority group but as equal citizen) and understands that in order to achieve that goal, he must be part of the political game. Or, as I was told by Ghanim — my friend from Sakhnin who asked that his full name not be divulged — “We are sick and tired of being the ones on the back rows. We want to be on the playing field, even on the bench, but at least partners.”
A statistics expert who spoke to Al-Monitor on the condition of anonymity relayed the finding of an academic study carried out in September 2018 regarding the Arab population. The study showed that 77% of the respondents support “integration of Israel’s Arabs in the State instead of fighting it,” and 70% support the statement that “the Joint List party must deal more with the interests of Arab Israelis over those of the Palestinians in the territories.”
