Olmert: Israeli Arabs discriminated against

In conference for Arab sector PM calls on citizens to work towards integration, especially in economy. 'One state should have one economy,' he says
Ahiya Raved

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Thursday called on the Arab sector in Israel to "take responsibility as partners in the State, and not just as bystanders who criticize." Olmert spoke at the prime minister's conference for the Arab sector, held in Haifa.

Discrimination?

Report: Arabs' life expectancy in Israel 4 years shorter than Jews' / Sharon Roffe-Ofir

Annual Sikui organization analysis shows gaps between Jewish, Arab populations in Israel; says Jewish population has higher standard of living than Arab population, despite government's declarations of equality between all citizens

Full story

According to Olmert, "the Israeli Arabs are not a strategic threat and I don't see them as a strategic threat. There is discrimination against the Arab population in Israel; some of it is unintentional, but it has an effect. The citizens of Israel must be taught that the Arabs in Israel are citizens of equal rights. However, a social change cannot rest solely on the leadership's shoulders."

The prime minister listed the steps being taken by the various government ministries to promote the issue.

"Despite the State's 60 years, we have not yet reached a suitable relationship with the Arab citizens of Israel. This has not happened because of the government's discriminatory policy, but the important thing is that current conditions have made it possible to alter the situation."

He added that the first actions must be economic, "for integration and then equality, rather than equality and then integration." He claimed that only after the Arab "sub-economy" is incorporated with Israel's wider economy can conditions for change be achieved. "One state should have one economy," he said.

He called on the Arab public to become more involved, and to take on the responsibilities leading to change. "We need you to take on responsibility, and not just as bystanders who criticize, but as full partners and citizens in the State of Israel," Olmert added.

The prime minister also spoke regarding the issue of national service for Arabs. "The dispute regarding national service is saddening and unnecessary. National service is right for the country, for the Arab citizens and the Arab youth.

"Can the Arab youth not volunteer for a year or two in national service for the community in which he lives? You need to change your stance on the issue as a basis for an understanding we all look forward to," Olmert concluded.