Minority rights in Israel

Arab rights in Israel

Although the Arab Spring offers hope that democracy will one day be widespread in the region, Israel remains the only operational democracy in the Middle East which enshrines in law full equality between all religions and races.

Members of the Arab minority in Israel, about 20% of the population, are afforded the same political and social rights as Jews, who make up the majority of Israeli society. In fact, they enjoy greater civil rights than Arabs anywhere else in the region. The Knesset contains a number of Arab parties, with full voting rights, as well as a number of Arab MKs who run on mainstream party lists. The current Knesset contains 14 Arab MKs, which, given Israel’s system of proportional representation, is a perfect reflection of the Arab public’s voting patterns. Arabs have attained high positions in the Knesset, including (currently) the Deputy Speakership. A Druze member of Knesset was recently Acting President - the highest office in the country - when the President was away.

Arabs also play a crucial role in Israel’s rich cultural fabric. Israel has been represented in the Eurovision by an Arab singer and in the Football World Cup by an Arab player.