A Diverse Jewish Population, But Not by Choice

Israel has a unique form of diversity that is a testament to the need for the modern state. Although Israel is the original birthplace of the Jewish nation, many of Israel’s six million-plus Jewish population is made up of Jews from: Eastern Europe, the former-Soviet Union, Ethiopia, North Africa, the Middle East, North and South America, and elsewhere. Since the founding of the modern state and even earlier during the British Mandate, Israel has served as a place of refuge for Jews facing persecution and oppression around the world. Any tourist visiting Israel will meet Jewish Israelis from all four corners of the world and in all physical shapes, sizes, and colors.

A True Liberal Democracy

But in addition to its Jewish nature, the State of Israel is a liberal democracy home to other ethnicities and religions. There are 1.2 million Muslim-Arabs (including Bedouins), 200,000 Christians, and another 200,000 Druze, Baha’i, Circassians, and other various groups. In addition, there are over 100,000 migrant workers and 50,000 asylum seekers fleeing from Eritrea, Sudan, and other African countries currently in conflict.

Such a diverse society could not flourish if a democratic institution were not in place. Most of these demographic groups wouldn’t chose to live in Israel if they felt that they were treated unequally or were persecuted. Instead, Israel offers them a free country unparalleled by any other country in the Middle East.

Ruling out Apartheid

The 1.2 million Muslim-Arabs living within Israel have full rights to citizenship equal to that of any other Israeli national. They have the same access to hospitals, roads, universities, and public services. Israeli Arabs vote, serve in government offices, work side-by-side with Jews, and there are a number of well-known Arabs in Israeli pop culture. Any allegations of apartheid policies simply indicate ignorance about the history of apartheid in South Africa and in other parts of the world. Take Jordan, Israel’s neighbor, as an example–where the relatively-small Hashemite family rules over a country whose population is almost 70% Palestinian. King Abdullah II of Jordan has put down a number of revolts led by Palestinians attempting to gain a louder voice in government, as did his father before him. Singling out Israel, a haven for diverse social groups, is a crime to other oppressed peoples, as well as to Israel.

The Security Barrier

Fleeing refugees, discriminated-against homosexuals, and multiple religious sects enjoy Israel’s democracy and the security provided by its military. Efforts to protect its civilians are meant to protect all of its civilians and are in no sense discriminatory.  The Security Fence that runs along the border between Israeli and Palestinian territory directly prevents violence reminiscent of the frequent terrorist attacks that took place during the Second Intifada. Those attacks blindly attacked Israel’s diverse civilian population, and similarly, the Israeli-constructed Security Fence (a small percentage of which is a concrete wall) blindly protects that population.

Change the Brand

Across college campuses, the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement may often try to engrave the word “apartheid” upon the State of Israel. There is no apartheid in Israel. Israel is a diverse country where people of any religion, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation are entitled to equal rights under the law. Its diversity is part of what makes the country so special. Israeli society has prejudice and economic disparity–like the United States and many other countries–but considering the constant threat of attack that Israel has faced, Israel is one of the world’s most impressive liberal and open democracies.

Written by Jonathan Muhlrad