Ethnic mobilization in an ethno-national state: the case of immigrants from the Former Soviet Union in Israel

Abstract

This article deals with political mobilization among immigrants from the Former Soviet Union [FSU] in Israel. Political patterns among these immigrants are examined through an analysis of their voting in the 1999 Israeli elections for Parliament and Prime Minister. The data are derived from a nationwide survey, conducted in August-September 1999, based on a representative sample of 707 adult immigrants (18 years and over) who came to Israel between January 1990 and July 1999. Our findings indicate that immigrants from the FSU in Israel have adopted an ethnic mobilization strategy through which they seek to integrate in Israel as a distinct group, not just as individuals. This mobilization strategy counts on the immigrants' points of strength while at the same time manipulating the weak points of the Israeli political and social structure. Throughout our analysis the reactive and the competitive approaches towards ethnic mobilization are juxtaposed and examined.