Constructing civic consciousness

Times are very tough for those committed to shaping a sustainable shared future for all Israeli citizens - Jewish and Arab alike. The fighting in Gaza, the attempt to exclude two Arab parties from participating in the upcoming Knesset election and the corrosive Jewish-Arab discourse have all further strained already-fragile relations.

Many Jewish and Arab citizens, even colleagues in the coexistence-education community, are shocked at how differently members of both groups have tended to view recent events. We even have difficulty accepting each others' heartfelt feelings, and far too many lack sensitivity to the genuine pain of their fellow citizens.

Jews need to appreciate that Arab citizens are inevitably torn by fighting between their state and their people. Many have family in Gaza, and this round of violence, like those that preceded it, naturally created enormous personal and communal torment. Similarly, too many Arab citizens have either not felt or demonstrated much empathy for the suffering of Jewish citizens in the south under Hamas missile attacks. Isolated incidents - inevitably seized on by a jingoistic media and politicians - in which small groups of incensed Arab citizens have even chanted "Death to the Jews" during anti-war demonstrations, are as damaging to Jewish-Arab relations as they are ugly. It makes no difference that these outbursts are actually far from representative of the overall pragmatic restraint showed by most Arab citizens.

Understanding the genuine fears of Jewish-Israelis does not mean that Arab citizens, like their Jewish compatriots, cannot condemn the war publicly. That is the legitimate and democratic right of every citizen. In this regard, reports that more than 700 Arab citizens, including minors, were arrested, charged or questioned by the Shin Bet security service during the course of the fighting are also very worrying. While the law obviously needs to be applied to any suspected law-breakers, many of those interviewed have apparently been targeted only on a "preventive" basis. This is something that should worry us all, as it clearly represents a significant threat to both our democracy and the fabric of majority-minority relations.

At times like these, the professionals involved in building better Jewish-Arab relations have an obligation to distinguish between their personal emotions and their professional responsibilities. As professionals, we should be engaged in damage control. We need to encourage as much dialogue as possible, to listen more and judge less. We need to stand united against the ultimate enemy - hopelessness. But as MK Rabbi Michael Melchior, a true champion of Jewish-Arab relations, recently reported, this is very hard right now. It was shocking to hear that even his eloquent Jewish-Zionist and democratic voice was drowned out during a meeting with 800 Jewish high-school students, many of whom joined in chanting "Death to the Arabs," when he spoke at a recent pre-election school debate, ostensibly held to increase the next generation's political literacy and democratic commitment.

Now that the Gaza fighting has ended, we will need to work much harder to construct a shared civic consciousness that is meaningful for all Israelis. Young Jewish and Arab citizens of Israel, who live and learn separately, will need to be educated from kindergarten through 12th grade to overcome mutual ignorance and prejudice, and to be more comfortable with their fellow citizens. Such education involves learning about the lives of their fellow citizens, appreciating their distinct worldviews and identifying and promoting common values and interests. We will need to work harder than ever to explain that we have no right to vilify and exclude fellow citizens because of their feelings and speech, but only - and equitably - on the basis of unlawful actions.

In this regard, it is important to note that an Education Ministry state committee tasked to recommend guidelines for "Shared Living" education for Jewish and Arab students is soon to publish its findings. For its recommendations to be taken seriously, Jewish-Israelis - including politicians and policy-makers - will need finally to come to terms with the fact that 20 percent of their fellow citizens (and a third of all pupils) are Muslim, Christian and Druze, many with a strong and legitimate sense of Palestinian national identity.

However frustrating this might be after 60 years of effort, Israel's Arab citizens, while naturally embracing aspects of their Palestinian identity, will need to work still harder to reassure the Jewish majority of their full commitment to the law, to developing their civic identity and full civic integration. While the incendiary taunts of increasing numbers of Jewish politicians, who demand - as a precondition for civic inclusion and rights - that Arab citizens constantly "prove" their loyalty and avow commitment to the state's Jewish character are wholly unfair, these un-Jewish, undemocratic and dangerous demands can only be overcome through a sustained democratic struggle. Extremist outbursts and lawlessness, however isolated, only serve the provocateurs.

A new civic awareness and improvement of Jewish-Arab relations will not threaten, but will rather reinforce Israel's unique status as national homeland to the Jewish people, by strengthening internal stability and reinforcing our international legitimacy. Alongside comprehensive shared-citizenship education and practical steps to promote equal rights and opportunities for Arab citizens, certain national initiatives could go a long way to change our collective divisive mindset. If advanced sensitively, the establishment of a "Shared Citizenship" day to celebrate the diversity of Israeli society, and development of additional national-service opportunities as an alternative to military service for Arab citizens, are two such positive steps.

And finally, as this war has so tragically highlighted, we all need to struggle tirelessly for regional reconciliation. While this must not be a prerequisite, it will make the improvement of relations between Israel's Jewish and Arab citizens a far simpler proposition.

Mike Prashker is founder and director of Merchavim: The Institute for the Advancement of Shared Citizenship in Israel.