Minority Groups

The Arab sector is active politically on both national and local levels. Arab representatives have served in all Knessets, some affiliated with Arab parties, others with predominantly Jewish parties.

The Jewish majority and the Arab minority live side by side with contacts on economic, municipal and political levels, but with little social interaction. Many Jewish youngsters reach adulthood without any direct links with Arab youth, and vice versa.
 

In The Israeli Defense Force

Although all Israeli citizens, regardless of race and religion, share basically the same rights and obligations, non-Jewish citizens have been exempted from compulsory service in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) out of consideration for their family, religious, and cultural affiliations with countries which are in a state of war with Israel. At the same time, volunteer military service is encouraged, with some choosing this option every year. Since 1957, at the request of their community leaders, IDF service has been mandatory for Druze and Circassian men, while the number of Bedouin joining the career army increases steadily.
 
 

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