Subscribe to Print Edition | Fri., February 22, 2008 Adar1 16, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:23 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Poll: 75% of Israeli Arab youth back national service By Haaretz Staff Seventy-five percent of Israeli Arabs between the ages of 16 and 22 support voluntary national service, according to a poll released yesterday. The survey, conducted by Professor Sammy Smooha, dean of Haifa University's social sciences department, was carried out among 910 participants. The study also polled 78 public figures from the Israeli Arab community, dividing them into two groups - those who are identified with the Jewish establishment, and those who are not. Advertisement Smooha said the study shows that the government must launch a campaign challenging those Israeli Arab leaders who oppose national service. According to the poll, the vast majority of the Arab public is unaware of the national service program, with 77.4 percent overall and 79.6 percent of youth saying they know little or nothing about it. The lack of public awareness comes despite a vigorous campaign by Arab leaders against joining the voluntary program as well as the service's recruitment efforts. The poll found that, once given basic information about national service conditions and its goals, not only Israeli Arab youth were supportive of the idea, but so were 71.9 percent of all Arab men and 83.8 percent of all Arab women. Support for national service was also found to be high among supporters of Hadash (69.2 percent), Balad (77.6 percent), and other Arab political movements opposed to the project. Just over 27 percent of Arab youth said they would volunteer even in the face of family members' opposition, while 35 percent said they would volunteer despite the opposition of town leaders. Forty-two percent said they would volunteer even if the majority of Israeli Arab leaders express their opposition. Sixty-eight percent of those who support national service said they are in favor because it contributes to the country and Israeli society, while 89.7 percent said they support the project because it would lead to greater equality between Arabs and Jews. Almost 75 percent said they are concerned that the national service program will, with time, turn into compulsory military service in the Israel Defense Forces. Bookmark to del.icio.us   The black sheep The U.S. freezes Assad's cousin's assets for trying to weaken Iraq and Lebanon. Pristina, Ramallah Yasser Abed Rabbo called on the West Bank to declare independence like Kosovo.

Today Online Report: U.K. gov't hid reference to Israel on Iraq weapons dossier Responses: 197 Israel fears Europe will break boycott of Hamas Responses: 240 Iranian official: Countdown to Israel's destruction has begun Responses: 168 Shmuel Rosner: What the U.S. really wants is a total Gaza invasion Responses: 75 Israel Harel: Israeli Arabs creating state within Israel's borders Responses: 71 More Headlines 00:52 Iron Dome system helpless against Qassams 00:59 EU resolution lambastes Israel over Gaza Strip isolation policy 21:58 Rights group slams Egypt for shooting African migrants on Israel border 00:05 Monopoly Website drops country names after Jerusalem row 02:16 EU advisers to PA police seek $221 million for training, prisons 02:14 Al-Aqsa militants wanted by Israel escape from PA jail 01:06 Russia offers to host, finance Israel 60 anniversary events in Moscow 20:05 Minister Eitan: Jerusalem Arabs oppose division of capital 21:28 Britain, France, Germany revise Iran sanctions draft 01:15 Serb rioters set fire to U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, clash with police Previous Editions Select Day 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb 15 feb 14 feb 13 feb 12 feb 11 feb 10 feb 08 feb

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