Israeli Arab teachers in Jewish schools

Abstract

ABSTRACT Recently there has been a growing tendency among Israeli Arab teachers to work in Jewish schools. This trend has several sociopolitical and economic reasons but is generally viewed as a welcome development that should be encouraged. Based on interviews with ten Arab teachers in Jewish schools, this article seeks to delve into their living experience and understand their motivations and aspirations, as well as the obstacles they encounter. Its findings underscore two main obstacles that need to be surmounted: cultural differences and lower mastery of the Hebrew language, on the one hand, and the tension attending a different ethnic/national identity from that of the taught audience, on the other.