Pursuing equality and democracy for all Israel’s citizens
By Shahira Shalabi
The concept of democracy faces a profound challenge in today’s Israel. The definition of the state as both “Jewish and democratic” creates an inherent tension in relation to its Palestinian citizens. Also referred to, especially internationally, as Arab citizens of Israel, this population, constituting over 20 percent of Israeli society, continues to experience systemic inequality across multiple domains of public and private life. The gap between democratic ideals and lived reality, raises fundamental questions about citizenship, belonging, and the future of Israeli society as a whole.
Palestinian citizens of Israel navigate a complex reality. They are often feted as a success story of Israel. Yet despite having formal citizenship, they often find themselves treated as less than full members of the state – facing barriers in housing, employment, education and public resource allocation; basically all areas of life. Arab localities receive significantly less government funding than their Jewish counterparts, resulting in inferior infrastructure and municipal services. The Arabic language, despite its prevalence, has been marginalised in public life. Political representation, while present, remains limited in its influence on core decision-making processes that affect the lives of Arab citizens.
This inequality does not exist in isolation from broader social dynamics. Public discourse frequently portrays Palestinian citizens as a demographic threat rather than equal participants in a shared society. Media coverage often reinforces negative stereotypes, while political rhetoric sometimes directly questions their loyalty or legitimacy. These narratives deepen social divisions and make the path toward genuine equality more difficult to traverse.
The challenges have intensified in recent years. Political polarisation has emboldened voices that openly question the place of Palestinian citizens within Israeli society. During periods of regional conflict, suspicion and discrimination tend to escalate, placing additional pressure on intercommunal relations. The events following 7 October 2023, have highlighted these tensions, with Palestinian citizens facing increased scrutiny over expressions of empathy for civilian casualties in Gaza, which are falsely conflated with support for terrorism. Despite this, Palestinians in Israel are united with Jewish Israelis in supporting a ceasefire.
In this context, the question of what constitutes a truly shared society becomes increasingly urgent. Is it sufficient for different populations to coexist in relative peace while maintaining separate and unequal systems? Or does a genuine democracy require deeper engagement with the structural inequalities that prevent full citizenship for all?
The Abraham Initiatives has developed a comprehensive approach to addressing these challenges, based on the recognition that superficial coexistence is insufficient for building a stable, democratic society. Our work is grounded in three interconnected principles that together form the foundation for meaningful change.
First, genuine relationships between Jewish and Palestinian citizens must be cultivated through structured, meaningful interactions. Surface-level initiatives or occasional symbolic gestures cannot be a substitute for continuing engagement across community boundaries. We facilitate these connections through programmes that bring citizens together around shared interests and concerns, creating spaces where genuine dialogue can flourish.
Second, policy reform must address systemic inequalities in resource allocation and civic rights. The Abraham Initiatives conducts research to identify specific areas of discrimination, develops evidence-based policy recommendations, and advocates for their implementation at local and national levels. This work recognises that individual attitudes alone cannot overcome structural barriers to equality.
Third, shared civic leadership must become the norm rather than the exception. Palestinian citizens must be represented in decision-making positions across Israeli society – in government, business, academia and civil society. The Abraham Initiatives works to identify and nurture future leaders committed to shared society values, equipping them with the skills and networks to implement change within their communities and beyond.
This theoretical framework translates into practical programmes that demonstrate the possibility and benefits of a shared society.
In hundreds of schools across Israel, our Arabic language education programme integrates Arab teachers into Jewish schools, improving language acquisition while creating meaningful cross-cultural relationships. This initiative has reached thousands of pupils, changing attitudes at a formative age and challenging stereotypes through personal connections.
As in the UK, history and culture have led to some towns and cities being more diverse than others. In places such as Lod, Ramle and Acre – termed “mixed cities” due to the large numbers of Jewish and Palestinian citizens who live side by side – the Abraham Initiatives works with local authorities to ensure equitable services, housing rights and cultural representation. Our municipal equality index has become a reference point for measuring progress toward inclusive governance, providing data that both highlights gaps and celebrates improvements.
Safety and security concerns affect all citizens but these often manifest differently across communities. Our policing and public safety initiatives address these differences by establishing communication channels between police authorities and Arab communities. These efforts improve trust while ensuring that security measures protect rather than target Arab citizens.
Media representation significantly influences public perceptions and policy priorities. The Abraham Initiatives works to ensure fairer representation of Palestinian citizens in Israeli media and challenges discriminatory rhetoric in public discourse. By amplifying diverse voices and perspectives, this work helps reshape the narrative around shared society.
These efforts have yielded tangible results. Policy recommendations from the Abraham Initiatives have influenced government decisions, including the historic five-year economic development plan for Arab society launched in 2015 which directed billions of shekels to address gaps in infrastructure, education and employment. Educational programmes have transformed how Arabic language and culture are taught in hundreds of schools, and leadership programmes have developed a network of changemakers across sectors who implement shared society values in their professional capacities.
Perhaps most importantly, we have created platforms for dialogue between communities during times of tension, helping to prevent escalation and build resilience. Through evidence-based monitoring mechanisms we have been able to track equality indicators, providing data and analysis that guide policymaking and hold institutions accountable. These concrete achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of a systematic approach to building a shared society.
For international observers, particularly those in Britain who share a commitment to democratic values, engagement with Israel should reflect the diversity of Israeli society and include partnerships with organisations working for equal citizenship. The Abraham Initiatives offers a model that addresses inequality while strengthening democratic institutions; a pragmatic approach that needs both support and amplification.
The path toward a truly shared society in Israel faces significant challenges, particularly in the current political climate. However, the practical models developed by organisations like the Abraham Initiatives demonstrate that change is possible when approached through systematic, evidence-based methods and a commitment to democratic principles. Through continued partnership with international allies who share these values, Israel can move closer to fulfilling its promise of equality and democracy for all its citizens.
Shahira Shalabi is joint chief executive of The Abraham Initiatives. This article is part of LFI’s Voices for Change series.
