Israel as a Binational State

Abstract

AbstractThe Israeli society is plural because of religious and ethnic diversities. The presence of political democracy and proclamation of establishing the Jewish state make Israel both a Jewish and democratic state. The non-Jewish minority in Israel, like minorities in different parts of the world, has an aspiration for personal and group equality. The debate on Israel as a binational state as a theoretical and practical solution for the minorities has arguments for and against. This is considered a solution that can help enhance the socio-economic and political status of the minority, and transformation into a binational state implies a change in the character of the state and its democracy. But the viability of this solution is not free from doubts and counter-arguments.KeywordsGroup equalityIsraeli ArabsLiberal democracyMajority-minority relationsNational minorityPersonal equality