I don’t know exactly how Israel’s government is set up, but I know it’s a democracy. But who gets to vote? I assume only Israeli citizens, but are Palastinians who live in Israel considered citizens of Israel, or do they (Palastinians) reject that completely?
Ultimately, I’m wondering if Palastinians could one day elect one of their own to be the leader of Israel.
TBB
About 20% of Israeli citizens are Arabs. I don’t think they’d be called Palestinians, though. They’d be called Israeli Arabs. There are Arabs in the Knesset (the Israeli parliament). I don’t see any reason one couldn’t be elected Prime Minister, although it would be almost imppossible to imagine it actually happening, given the demographics and the situation in the Occupied Territories.
Pretty much correct, although many (and more and more) Israeli Arabs self-identify as “Palestinians with Israeli citizenship.”
It may also be worth noting that some of the Arab MK (Members of Knesset) represent sectorial (“Arab”) parties, while others represent mainstream parties – e.g., Labor, Kadima and Likud, at the very least, will make sure that there is an Arab (or possibly a Druze) on the party ticket, at a slot that virtually assures their election to Knesset.
This actually appears to work somewhat, as the Arab parties in Knesset have 9/120 seats, or 7.5%, while their proportion in the general population is around 15-20%; so obviously about half of them are voting for non-sectorial “Zionist” parties.
As to the chance of an Arab becoming Prime Minister? Assuming Israel retains an ( ethnic) Jewish majority, it ain’t gonna happen until many years after real peace is achieved. Which is to say, probably not in our lifetimes.
But there is absolutely nothing in law which would stop an Arab from becoming Prime Minister or from holding some other Cabinet Portfolio. In fact, in 2001, Salah Tarif was appointed Minister without Portfolio, to become the first non-Jewish minister in an Israeli government (yes, I know he’s a Druze rather than a Muslim or Christian. But the principle is the same)
Thanks for the replies.
One follow-up. Since this is a possibility, have the arabs in Israel ever thought to work their agenda through the ballot box? After all, they’ve been fighting over the land for ever, and Israel isn’t going away any time soon. From a long-term perspective, I would think this would be more effective than terrorism. Or, since there are many factions, do they have as much trouble agreeing with each other as they do with the “zionists”?
Certainly they would not receive the scorn from the international community. On the other hand, I’m guessing they don’t see things changing in their lifetimes either, causing the suicide bomber diplomacy approach.
Perhaps my question strays too close to a Great Debate. I’m not looking for one, but I concede there may not be a factual answer to my follow-up question.
Mods please move if required. My apologies.
TBB
Most of the people who blow stuff up are Palestinians from the occupied territories, and they are not Israeli citizens. They do have some representation via the Palestinian Authority, though.
The Blonde Bomber, I think you are conflating Israeli Arabs (some of whom consider themselves “Palestinians”) with what, for want of a better word, I shall call “Palestinian Arabs,” i.e., those Arabs living in the Occupied Territories.
The former are full Israeli citizens, with full civil rights under law, including sufferage and the right to run for office. Most of them are sympathetic to the cause of a Palestinian State but would very definitely not want to move there (as evidenced every time some smart-alec suggests trading land – Israel keeping Ariel and Palestine getting Um-el-Fahem. The folks of Um-el-Fahem are not amused)
Israeli Arabs are, as already noted, represented in the Knesset – there are roughly 12 non-Jewish Members of Knesset, or about 10% of the house; non-Jews make up about 15% of the population of Israel. So, not absolutely perfect but really not far from full representation. Now and then, depending on the vaguaries of current political issues, they have some clout, some say as to how things unfold. More often, not – but that’s the way it is when you’re a minority.
There you are, Noone Special! We need your input in this GD thread: “Would a “binational” or “one-state solution” be best for Israel/Palestine?” – http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=353829 Please! We’ve had no Israeli Dopers in it yet. (I don’t think we have any Palestinian Dopers.)