By: Eden Kraft & Shirelle Maged
An apartheid state has a government that differentiates between people of different colors, ethnicities, classes or religions, and acts upon this separation. People often claim that Israel is an apartheid state, however this is inaccurate and cannot be proven with objective, factual evidence. The most common claim of this sort is that Israelis discriminate against Palestinians. However, in the year 2011, 13 members of the Knesset were Arab Citizens. Israel’s declaration of Independence even states that there is “complete equality of social and political rights” for “all its inhabitants, no matter their religion, race or sex” in Israel. This statement debunks all notions that Israel is discriminatory, and Israeli prime minister BinyaminNetanyahu formally stated that“Israel is the nation-state of the Jewish people, and respects the rights of all of its citizens.”
Israel houses a variety of religions who all have a safe home in Israel, and are vital contributors to the diverse Israeli culture. Despite Israel’s population being 74% Jewish, Israel is a truly diverse country, and Muslims, Christians, Circassians, Druze, Samaritans, and many other religious groups make up the remainder of the population. Not only are these other religions welcomed into Israel, but Israel supports them and drastically improves their quality of life. Due to the educational opportunities within Israel, illiteracy rates among Bedouins in Israel have dropped 70% within a generation. Additionally, the Israeli city of Haifa is the world headquarters for the Bahai, and many other religions have important landmarks in Israel which Israelis protect. The Christian Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a prime example of this, as well as the Muslim Dome of the Rock. Israel is a diverse country which welcomes peoples of all religions, and values all different beliefs and faiths.
Israel is home to many different ethnicities who all receive the same benefits and rights. Aside from the Jewish population, Arabs are the largest ethnic group in Israel, compromising over 20% of the Israeli population. Additionally, Arabic is one of two official languages in Israel. Israel is also known to warmly welcome Ethiopian immigrants. This year, over 1,000 Ethiopians immigrants were greeted by Israelis at Ben Gurion Airport, and were then supported to begin their new lives in the country. Israel prides itself on its desire to help immigrants adapt to their country. Ethiopians have had mass opportunities to complete higher education, and as a result of this have been employed in high-level positions. Furthermore, the Russian population in Israel has been strong since the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989. Since then, more than one million citizens of the former Soviet Union have immigrated to the state of Israel. Many Russian social media outlets are based in Israel, as well as Russian newspapers, television channels, and schools.
The State of Israel is anything but an apartheid state. In truth, Israel is extremely diverse and does not discriminate against people of any backgrounds. Israel is home to many different religions, all of whom are treated equally and have equal rights in the Land of Israel. Additionally, Israel’s population is made of people with different ethnicities from around the globe. Israel is a growing country with a vibrant, diverse, multicultural, tolerant population which opens its arms and homes to all people who need, as opposed to discriminating against specific groups of people as an apartheid state would.
