Israelis and Palestinians

Partitioned after WWII In 1948, the United Nations declared Israel a sovereign nation. After the atrocities of WWII, many Jews went back to the homeland that promised them in the Bible, Israel. At the time it was known as Palestine and was inhabited by Arabs. This caused war and conflict that continues to this day.

Land under dispute The West Bank and The Gaza Strip are land claimed by The Palestinians. The Israelis, however, are building settlements in the West Bank. The Golan Heights is land under disputed between Israel and Syria.

Population 76% of Israelis are Jewish -The word Jewish does not describe an ethnic group or population—it is a religion, a culture, and a nation. There are three identities in Israel: religion, citizenship, and nationality. Someone could be Christian by religion, Israeli by citizenship, and Arab by nationality. A Jew is Jewish by religion and nationality, but Israeli by citizenship.

Population 24% are Palestinian Arabs.

Language Israel- Hebrew is the official language. Arabic and English are taught beginning in 5th grade. Most people in Israel speak at least 2 languages.

Road signs in Hebrew and Arabic

Religion About 76% of Israelis practice Judaism About 16 percent of the population is Muslim (mostly Sunni) and nearly 2 percent is Druze, a religion that is said to have started as an offshoot of Islam. The remaining 2 percent is Christian, about half of which is Greek Orthodox.

Rosh Hashanah The Jewish New Year is a day of reflection, prayer, and gathering to eat with family.

Ramadan Ramadan is a Muslim holy month of fasting, reflection, and prayer.

Education The government of Israel provides both religious and secular school systems. Citizens can choose between schools taught in Hebrew or Arabic. School is free and compulsory through the 10th grade. Elementary school runs through sixth grade, junior high through ninth, and high school through twelfth. The high school diploma is necessary for college entrance and important for getting a job. Most schools hold classes six days a week.

Education Israeli government invests $1100 in each Jewish pupil’s education but only $190 for each Arab (Palestinian) pupil. 92% of adults can read and write.

The Economy Every Jewish Israeli must serve in the military. 53 percent of the impoverished families in Israel are Arabs. Since the majority of Arabs in Israel do not serve in the army, they are ineligible for many financial benefits such as scholarships and housing loans.

Economy The average Israeli makes $26,315 per year salary averages for Arab workers are 29% lower than for Jewish workers What’s 30% of $26,000?

Government Israel is a Representative Democracy with a Prime Minister instead of a President.

Who is an Israeli? Ethnicity - Is Jewish an ethnicity? 76% Jewish (mostly Israeli born) 24% non-Jewish (mostly Arab) Religion 76% Jewish 16% Muslim 2% Christian 6% other

Languages Hebrew (official lang.) Arabic English Population – @ 6.5 million

Who is a Palestinian? (In the Gaza Strip) Ethnicity Almost 100% Arab Religion 99% Muslim (mostly Sunni) 1% Christian Languages Arabic Hebrew English Population @ 1.4 mill.

Who is a Palestinian? (In the West Bank) Ethnicity 83% Arab (and a few other) 17% Jewish (Is Jewish an ethnicity?) Religion Population 75% Muslim @ 2.4 mill. Palestinians 17% Jewish @ 360,000 Israeli settlers 8% Christian Languages Arabic Hebrew English