The number of Arab youths who volunteered for national service this year was double that of last year, despite the opposition voiced by Israeli-Arab leaders. This according to data collected by the National-Civilian Service Administration, the government authority in charge of national civilian service.
Figures provided by the authority, which will officially begin operating in about two weeks, show that at the end of October, some 600 Arab had volunteered for national service, compared with around half that number in all of 2006. There are currently a total of some 12,000 volunteers in the national service, most of whom are women.
Every Israeli citizen who is not obligated to serve in the Israel Defense Forces can volunteer for national service, which is also called "civic service," and involves assisting staff at schools, hospitals and other institutions. Recently the government decided to set up one central administration to coordinate the efforts of all the volunteer associations. The state is interested in increasing the number of young men volunteering from sectors that do not serve in the army, such as non-Jews and the ultra-Orthodox.
Shlomit Foundation, one of the prominent national service groups, has reported a significant increase in Arab volunteers. According to Shlomit figures, last year 140 Arabs volunteered through the association, while this year there were more than 220. Haya Shmuel, director general of Shlomit, says that another 180 young Arab men and women have registered with the association, but volunteer assignments have not yet been found for them, due to a lack of authorized positions.
Still, many Israeli Arabs oppose such volunteering, calling it an attempt by the Jewish establishment to blur the Arab-Palestinian identity of the younger generation and "Israelize" them. Another claim is that the state is using the national service to indirectly recruit Arab youth for a kind of military service.
Iman Ouda, the Israeli-Arab Monitoring Committee's coordinator of activities against national service, says that the main reason for the objection to national service is that it has a direct connection to serving in the IDF.
"The connection between the two has existed since the establishment of the state," said Ouda Tuesday, stressing that supporting the IDF or the defense establishment was out of the question for most Israeli Arabs.
Dr. Reuven Gal, who heads the team that is setting up the National-Civilian Service Administration, says this is a demagogic mistake.
"If the state wanted to recruit them, this would not be done indirectly," says Gal, who believes the real reason for the Monitoring Committee's opposition is the fear that the volunteers will integrate into Israeli society.
Gal further noted that the Monitoring Committee did not respond to his invitation to participate in the increased volunteering initiative by Israeli Arabs and that the committee's representatives raised "groundless claims," such as a connection between the administration and the defense establishment.
Prof. Sami Smooha, a sociologist at the University of Haifa, said Tuesday that a study he conducted found that some 70 percent of Arab youth were interested in volunteering for national service.
"Against the background of the opposition to this program, and the lack of cooperation from the sector's leadership and the Monitoring Committee, these figures cannot be taken for granted," said a source at the Prime Minister's Office, who asked to remain anonymous, regarding the increase in the number of Arab youth who are volunteering.
"In exchange for volunteering, they achieve a status on par with Jewish Israelis who have completed their army service, and [the Arab youths] understand that this will be to their benefit in the future," said Smooha, explaining his study's findings concerning the desire of many Arab youths to volunteer for national service.
Smooha pointed out that for some Arabs, national service offers a kind of "escape hatch" from the Arab villages, enabling them to form ties with society in general, and helps young Arab women to achieve gender equality.
The interest shown by Arab youth in national service, said Smooha, indicates the gaps between the positions of the sector leaders and those of the "man on the street." Beyond the fact that this is a government project, Smooha said, the leadership is afraid that the volunteerism could see national service becoming compulsory in the future.
Samer Haskia, 19, of Acre, who volunteered in the national service as a computer instructor at a school in his city, says his friends convinced him to sign up.
"I realized the importance of serving, despite the connotations it arouses in the [Arab] sector," said Haskia, adding that in Acre, which is a mixed city, he felt only a slight negative attitude toward volunteering.
Amna Gazawi, 19, of Kfar Maher, near Acre, volunteered for national service three months ago and is now a youth counselor in a high school.
"Our leaders are not happy about this and neither is my family," she said. "They say it is like doing army service, and I explain that I am just helping children. This is our only choice, because after high school there is nothing for us to do. Thanks to the my service, I will receive benefits and will be in a better place in the future."
The Shlomit Foundation has also received applications from the children of former South Lebanon Army officers, for the first time since they arrived in Israel in 2000. This year seven daughters of SLA soldiers volunteered for national service through Shlomit.
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I am sure we would still have enough soldiers, cut the 80% jobniks. And volunteers will work for DIFFERENT communities. Let's see who hates who, who helps who
This gives the Israeli Arabs a opportunity to escape the braining washing of the Arab culture taught by its leaders. Hamas charter calls for Murdering Jews. Arab world refuses to teach historical facts about the middle east. They forget that most of the Arab countries are made up places from the early to mid 20th century. Most dont belong. They forget that Israel and Jews were there before they were. They refuse to acknowledge the fact that The Temple Mount is Judaisms holiest site and Jews have worshiped there for 2,500 years except when Jerusalem was occupied, the latest being the Arab occupation of Jerusalem from 48 to 67. Stop brainwashing Arab kids. Lets them learn a few facts and decide for themselves. They may realize that working with Jews and Israel is better for them, than working against them.
I always like your posts, I feel you're realy a proud citizen of Israel. Kol hakavod
"...those Japanese-Americans were traitors to their heritage...." You just backed up the arguments of those who interned the Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor. The truth is that the vast majority of Japanese-Americans were fully loyal to the United States, and those who served fought bravely against fascism. If the basic premise of your argument is true, then why should anyone in Europe or the US trust any Muslim?
This is so encouraging. A chance to show the world that Israel, while being a Jewish State, is a democracy for all its citizens. And a chance for the Israeli-Arab youth to show their out-of-touch "community leaders" that one can be a good citizen of Israel AND retain an Arab identity - that's what a democracy is! The government and society of Israel must embrace this trend and encourage it. This is the way of the future.
Ive said it many times before. Given half a chance many many Israeli Arab young would welcome the chance do some sort of national service. But its some narrow minded Israeli politicians who it seems cant see the huge rewards in terms of more coherence and unity of purpose in society however small the start. Yes its true alot of Israeli Arab youngsters may do it for more practical reasons, to see more of society, to get some basic training and skills, to have some fun and adventure - but isnt that what its all about? And there are so many opportunities for national service within the military and outside of the military. However small the intake Israel should embrace this trend and not turn them away. Perhaps dare I say it as a Palestinian, Israeli Arabs in national service might be considered even more Israeli than your Israeli Haredim who refuse or find excuses not to serve at all.
Rami, When Israel becomes the state of citizens, not the state of the Jews, then you may have a chance to be an equal citizen with rights and obligations. Meanwhile those who choose to waste two or more years of their lives thinking that will give them an edge over their fellow Arabs citizens are fooling themselves. The Israeli Government can easily come and say that starting tomorrow everybody is equal in Israel and all have to serve the country. They will never do that because most Israelis are infected in a disease called Zionism. Until they recover we all will suffer no matter if we serve or not.
While Israeli Arab leaders speak against Israel like enemies, the youth vote with their feet. Israeli Arabs should feel at home and equal and there is no reason they should not do national service helping within their community. No one expects them to help or defend Jews. That remains a one way street!
You have your area of Palestine and you can keep it. I believe Rami says it best. Israel is a fact and that's final. If Israeli Arabs prefer to defy the State and keep itself segregated, then it will reap the consequences of being considered a 5th column. Unlike the backwards Arab population, these kids see themselves as Israeli citizens and have the energy to get things done, and bring happiness. If they abstain, they hurt the citizens of Israel, not the government. Perhaps you'd prefer to sit back with your hand out, demanding State services without paying taxes, and once in a while throwing stones at emergency vehicles or burning down an entire forest out of spite. In an Arab country, you'd already be in jail and your family tortured. Perhaps Israel has much to learn from people like you, huh?
Do you americans allow foreigners to disparage the American Empire? Do you allow people from other countries to tell King George how to become a better dictator? Don't speak. Just listen to your corporate masters and obey King George. Let the adults discuss adult matters. BESIDES, THEY'RE VOLUNTEERING, FOOL!!
This is where we choose to live and raise our families, not in your muslim backward palestine. Even supporters of the Islamic movement don't want to be part of your palestine. Volunteering for national service in our country, Israel, is an honorable thing to do. As a palestinian you should be ashamed of seeing how hamas and fatah supporters are killign each other in Gaza, and that what you should marry about, not us volunteering...
being a part of a terrorist organization like Hamas and Islamic Jihad,
once they finish their service, I hope thegovernment will fulfill its side of the deal and grant them equality..... I'm still waiting to see that happen. There is a great disconnect between the Israel-arab street and leaders in that sectors. I'm sure once the government fulfills its part, the number of volunteers will only skyroket.
Indeed that is a valid analogy. Like the small number of Palestinian citizens who collaborate with tyranny and occupation, those Japanese-Americans were traitors to their heritage. While they waged war against their kinsmen on the orders of the U.S. Government, that same government had interned hundreds of thousands of innocent Japanese-American civilians. The true people of honor are those who conscientiously object to bear arms in support at the behest of criminal politicians.
I think that a more appropriate historical analogy would be the hundreds of Japanese-American nisei who volunteered for service during World War II.
I am proud that the vast majority of Palestinians don't follow the example of this small number of collaborators. If only their Jewish fellow citizens would have the same courage to defy Zionism, the problems of the region would evaporate.
"They say it is like doing army service, and I explain that I am just helping children." Also against Arab women achieving gender parity? And against Youth receiving counseling? Is there even one Palestinian supporter on talkback who cares whether or not Arabs benefit their lives and their communities?
1. Why serve a country that`s looking to transfer you at the first opportunity? ABSTAINING until peace/final deals is best! 2. Israeli Arabs shouldn`t be forced to do National Service for Israel...they are a "wronged" population. Their proper position is to ABSTAIN! Abstain from helping Palestinians to harm Israel (because as residents of the country they shouldn`t harm the country they live in)...AND...abstain from helping Israel (to harm their people). We All Know What Israel Does To Palestinians-- Why should other Palestinians be made to serve/be made to be a part of this? Demanding Israeli Arabs To Serve Is Like Hitler Demanding Jews-- To serve him during his rule/the Holocaust: it`s abhorrent/inhumane! In The States-- Native Americans aren`t forced to serve...& the reasons are obvious/similar. Jews In Germany, Etc. Today-- Would Germany dare to demand that Jews give National Service? No! And: How many Jews would if they demanded it? Few!
I met many Israeli Arabs during my visit to Israel, many who were passionate in their love and prayers for their country.
kol hakavod!
The integration of Arabs into Israeli society will help to put an end to calls of the Arab sector as a "Fifth Column" while Arabs increase their identity as Arabs in Israeli society. The economic opportunities and end of the self imposed segregation will hopefully markedly increase the social and economic status of Israel's Arab sector. The Arab leaders in Israel who want to keep Israel's Arabs isolated and poor are no better than UNRWA and the Arab League who want to keep the descendants of the Arab refugees in camps to keep them angry and vengeful. It is gratifying to see that the Arabs in Israel are willing to move beyond the ethnic hatred and decide they want a future.
makes us think you have nothing with which to back up your assertions. If Israeli Arabs are forced into service why aren`t they ALL there.Especially as you claim the Israelis controll even better than the Nazis. Just like forced labor under the Nazis or Communists? How many got out of that? Please reply! Are you another hit&run poster.Why is that?
She can't bear the thought of peaceful co-existence. She wants Jihad instead. Sorry.
You keep falling back on ordinary, typical, virulent anti-semitic blah blah blah. Israeli Arabs have more opportunity than Arabs anywhere else in the region and you know that, which is why you foam at the mouth with hatred of Israel.
More should follow and enjoy the economic opportunities that come with it.
Just like forced labor under the Nazis or Communists? How many got out of that? Please reply sweetie you are another hit&run poster.Why is that?
This is great. They should be made to feel at home and they will become loyal Israelis. Welcome and good luck.
help your neighbors, it doesn't matter which god they believe in!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:South_leb_army_hezbo_khomemi.JPG Everyone please take a good look at this image. This is an image which will be repeated again and again and again if Israel sells out its allies (Lebanon) , or turns over territory to its sworn enemies ('West Bank'). Here is the new reality for 2007: Hizbullah is in command of southern Lebanon. Pro-Hizbullah, pro-Syrian forces are slowly taking over Lebanon. Hamas has sworn to never recognize Israel. Fatah has sworn to never recognize a Jewish state.
"The Shlomit Foundation has also received applications from the children of former South Lebanon Army officers, for the first time since they arrived in Israel in 2000. This year seven daughters of SLA soldiers volunteered for national service through Shlomit." I hope the IDF "refusers" both Right and Left, secular and religious, are reading this article. As for the SLA soldiers and their families, who stood by Israel without fail for 22 years, let me say this only: You are among the few allies we the Jewish people have had. Forgive us our sins and abandonment of you. Perhaps God has punished us for our abandonment of our allies by strengthening the hand of our enemies, who are also your enemies. If you are not able to return to the Land of the Cedars, I hope you will remain in Israel in prosperity and happiness, and that the debt of gratitude owed to you will be repaid in full.
This should be supported not shunned by these idiots who think that sidelining yourselves is an acceptable means to ensuring your identity. As a Palestinian Arab, I must say that only serves to show their weakness. Participating in civic duties does more to ensure social acceptance of our arab identity than their stupid prescriptions for social isolation. The Israeli-Arab Monitoring Committee's refusal of this can be construed as weakness of their belief in their Arab Identity. If they fear for their identity, they must think of projects and means to empower it DESPITE the active participation of arabs in the Israeli society. One should not negate the other. These people are short sighted.
Greetings to your today Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha
During world war two, there were entire regiments of soldiers recruited from captured nations to serve as part of the German army. They did not do this out of love for the Nazis. They did it because they thought that this move would give them better opportunities in the future. Sadly for them, this did not work out, yet they should not be criticized too harshly. Israeli Arabs are in a similar situation and should not be criticized too harshly. Certainly Israel appears even more in charge today than the Nazis did in 1941.