View Chapters

Book: The Reality of Arabic in Israel

Chapter: Bottom-Up Initiatives for Jewish-Arab Integration

DOI: 10.1558/equinox.46248

Blurb:

Chapter nine outlines various grassroots educational initiatives in Israel aimed at bridging the gap between Jews and Arabs, mainly through bilingual education in Hebrew and Arabic. These initiatives foster mutual respect, understanding, and coexistence between the two ethnic groups, challenging the long-standing educational segregation. Efforts include introducing Arabic language and culture into Jewish schools, bilingual Hebrew-Arabic schools, and online platforms offering Arabic language lessons. While these initiatives face challenges and limitations, such as limited reach and political opposition, they represent a shift towards greater integration and cultural exchange. However, comprehensive reforms are needed to effectively address segregation and promote understanding, including curriculum changes, pedagogical reforms, and ongoing opportunities for interaction and exchange between Jewish and Arab students.

Chapter Contributors