Arab Sector Research Articles

The role of school management in ICT implementation on student achievement and teacher attitudes in the Arab sector in Israel

This study aims at evaluating the effectiveness of school management in the integration of ICTs within the schools with emphasis on students’ performance and teachers’ perception. The data were obtained from questionnaires and interviews conducted on 11 high schools in the Arab and Bedouin localities of Israel. This study shows that strategic management, structural design, and leadership enhance students’ performance especially in Mathematics and English. The schools that have well defined policies on ICT and good leadership achieved high levels of student engagement and better academic performance. However, the study reveals that some inequality prevails in the system; the northern schools are in a better condition as compared to the Bedouin schools in the south where inadequate resources and cultural barriers are also seen. Leadership was found to be the most important variable affecting the teachers’ perception on ICT use in teaching and learning process; particularly the hybrid leadership practices positively affected the teachers’ involvement and student achievement. The findings imply that more leadership and specific strategies are required to support effective integration of ICTs in the underprivileged areas

Violence Against Children in the Arab Sector and the Place of the Child in the Family Structure in Arab Society-Situation Picture and Suggestions for Possible Solutions

Physical abuse and violence against children are often defined differently by researchers and writers in the academic literature. The difference and diversity in definitions is mainly due to the academic discipline in which the research was conducted and/or the direction of the research and the subjects of the research. Mainly, broad definitions of physical abuse of children can be identified in the literature (for example: pushing, slapping or beating). On the other hand, there is a minority of "narrow" and specific definitions (such as: beating with an object, confinement in a closed room, etc.). The reason lies, mainly, in the methodological context and the frequency of the phenomena it is easier to define cases under a comprehensive definition (such as beating) and it is also difficult to find enough cases for cases with a "narrow" definition, to create validity for the findings. Also the methods of reporting parental aggression or abuse towards children (for example: Welfare reports, police reports, self-reports, etc.) also affect the definitions due to the focus of the phenomenon (for example: in the context of police reports, the level of attribution and definition is the criminal level), subjective feelings (feelings of the person reporting or answering the research questions) or determination of the researcher and the context of the research article (for example: focus on sexual violence). In the present article, I chose to use the following definition: violence against children is the control of one over another in the family relationship and includes one or more of the following types of violence: sexual, physical, emotional-psychological, economic and neglect.

Party identification as a mediating variable in the perception of governmental legitimacy in Israel during the coronavirus epidemic

AbstractObjectiveThe policy implemented in Israel with the purpose of eradicating the COVID‐19 pandemic restricted Israeli citizens’ individual freedom. During this period, Israel was suffering from government instability that led to recurring election campaigns within a short period. In addition, the prime minister was under legal investigation for suspicions of government corruption. This study examines the legitimization of government by the Israeli public during the COVID‐19 pandemic.MethodsThe research findings are based on a representative attitude survey conducted by a survey company among Israeli citizens (men and women older than 18), including 604 respondents from the Jewish population and others and another 135 respondents from the Arab sector, that is, a total of 739 respondents, where the sampling error was 4.4 percent.ResultsThe findings indicate that right‐wing voters tended to support governmental legitimization at a higher rate compared to voters from opposing blocs. Correspondingly, they tended to oppose claims attacking governmental legitimization at a lower rate in comparison to coalition party voters.ConclusionThe conclusion indicates that the party identification of the respondents is a mediating variable in their perception of governmental legitimacy vis‐à‐vis each of the three variables examined, thereby strengthening the perceptual screening.

An After-Hours Telemedicine Urgent Care Service May Not Improve Access to Care for Underserved Populations.

Background: After-hours telemedicine services for emergency care are thought to offer a solution for patients who live at a distance from traditional face-to-face emergency services. This study evaluates such a service in a Health Maintenance Organization, focusing on the differences between central and peripheral populations. Methods: In this cross-sectional database study, we collected data regarding the encounter and patient characteristics, including prescriptions, referrals for further evaluation in a traditional emergency department (ED), and the distance from a traditional ED. Other outcome measures included health care utilization after the encounter such as primary care physician (PCP) encounters, additional telemedicine encounters, ED visits, and hospitalization. Results: In total, 45,411 patient visits were analyzed. Medication was prescribed in 25% of the encounters, and a referral to an ED was given in 22%. In total, 17.7% of the patients visited an ED within 24 h of the index encounter. In total, 64.8% of patients visited a PCP in the following 30 days. No further care was needed in 32.4% of the encounters. In multivariable logistic regression, the odds of using the service were lower for low socio-economic status groups and inhabitants of the periphery than the central areas. A weak reverse correlation was observed in Jewish sectors regarding distance from traditional ED, whereas no correlation was found in the Arab sector. Conclusion: It is commonly believed that telemedicine overcomes geographical barriers. The results of this research do not support this hypothesis.

Ethnic and Gender Variations in Ischemic Stroke Patterns among Arab Populations in Northern Israel: A Preliminary Exploration towards Culturally Aware Personalized Stroke Care.

The Galilee region of Israel boasts a rich ethnic diversity within its Arab population, encompassing distinct Muslim, Christian, Druze, and Bedouin communities. This preliminary exploratory study uniquely examined potential ethnic and gender differences in ischemic stroke characteristics across these Arab subgroups, which are seldom investigated separately in Israel and are typically studied as a homogeneous "Arab" sector, despite significant variations in their ethnicity, culture, customs, and genetics. The current study aimed to comparatively evaluate stroke characteristics, including recurrence rates, severity, and subtypes, within and across these distinct ethnic groups and between genders. When examining the differences in stroke characteristics between ethnic groups, notable findings emerged. The Bedouin population exhibited significantly higher rates of recurrent strokes than Muslims (M = 0.55, SD = 0.85 vs. M = 0.25, SD = 0.56; p < 0.05). Large vessel strokes were significantly more prevalent among Christians (30%) than Druze (9.9%; p < 0.05). Regarding gender differences within each ethnic group, several disparities were observed. Druze women were six times more likely to experience moderate to severe strokes than their male counterparts (p < 0.05). Interestingly, Druze women also exhibited a higher representation of cardio-embolic stroke (19.8%) compared with Druze men (4.6%; p < 0.001). These findings on the heterogeneity in stroke characteristics across Arab ethnic subgroups and by gender underscore the need to reconsider the approach that views all ethnic groups comprising the Arab sector in Israel as a homogeneous population; instead, they should be investigated as distinct communities with unique stroke profiles, requiring tailored culturally aware community-based prevention programs and personalized therapeutic models. The identified patterns may guide future research to develop refined, individualized, and preventive treatment approaches targeting the distinct risk factors, healthcare contexts, and prevention needs of these diverse Arab populations.

Missed diagnosis—a major barrier to patient access to obesity healthcare in the primary care setting

ObjectiveTo investigate whether individuals with an elevated BMI measurement, for whom a diagnosis of overweight or obesity (OW/OB) is not recorded, are less likely to be offered clinical care for obesity compared to those with a recorded diagnosis.SubjectsA retrospective cohort study using the electronic medical record database of Maccabi Healthcare Services (MHS) in Israel. Included were 200,000 adults with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 measurement recorded during a primary care visit between 2014 and 2020, and no prior diagnosis of OW/OB or related co-morbidities.MethodsThe relationships between a recorded diagnosis of OW/OB and two composite outcomes: 1. A composite of referrals to screening tests for metabolic complications; 2. A composite of weight loss intervention and follow up, were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models.ResultsIn only 18% of individuals, a diagnosis of OW/OB was recorded. After adjusting for multiple potential confounding factors, individuals who received a recorded diagnosis were 18% more likely to be offered an evaluation for obesity-related metabolic complication, (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.15–1.21, p < 0.001), and almost twice as likely to be offered intervention and follow up for their excess body weight (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.76–1.94, p < 0.001) compared to individuals with missed diagnosis. These results persisted after adjusting for inter-physician variability. In addition, male sex, older age, and Arab sector were all associated with lower rates of weight loss intervention and follow up, while young individuals were less likely to be screened for metabolic complications.ConclusionBeyond BMI measurement, a recorded diagnosis of OW/OB is associated with statistically and clinically significant higher rates of performance of obesity care and intervention. Undiagnosed OW/OB presents a significant clinical opportunity, as recording a diagnosis of OW/OB would predict improved patient access to obesity healthcare and improved clinical outcomes.

Reducing educational gaps in Israel? Examining the ability to learn and experience sensations of Jewish and Arab participants in Feldenkrais lessons

ABSTRACT In the early years of the State of Israel (since 1948), education in the Arab sector suffered from discrimination and neglect, and it is only recently (since 2015) that programs have begun reducing these gaps. The aim of the present study was to examine the existence or non-existence of gaps in ability to learn and an in sensations after performing Feldenkrais method exercises. The Feldenkrais method seeks to improve individual ability, through movement. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the responses of 21 students from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, and 18 students from Kaye Academic College of Education, who practiced the method in 14 Feldenkrais lessons, showed no gaps in learning ability, and small gaps in sensations.

The influence of teacher-guided mindfulness practice on inter and intra-personal abilities among Israeli Arab students

This study investigates the effects of a mindfulness-based program implemented by teachers for their primary school students in the Arab sector of Israel. The study included 958 fourth, fifth, and sixth-grade students, with 659 completing the program and 299 students serving as controls. The effectiveness of the program was assessed through interpersonal and intrapersonal questionnaires, measuring anxiety, perceived stress, mindfulness, tolerance towards an outgroup, and teachers’ availability and acceptance. Students completed the questionnaires before and after the program. Significant interactions between time and group were observed in all measured outcomes, indicating the program’s positive effects. The findings suggest that mindfulness practices, known to be effective for primary school students in Western societies, can also be effective in collectivist cultures, such as the Arab society in Israel.

Refraining from culture-related discussions in English as a foreign language classrooms: lessons from negative cases

IntroductionThis study examined the factors that determined English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teacher decisions to refrain extending the use of culture-related classroom discussions. Specifically, we focused on the episodes in which teachers decided against holding specific culture-related discussions, to better understand the reasons for limited inclusion of diverse cultural content.MethodsIn our examination of the data, we opted for the Theory of Planned Behavior as a lens to interpret teachers' motives for deciding at will not to have a culture-related discussion. The study followed negative case methodology to gain insight into why teachers avoided classroom discussions about culture. Within this methodology, we applied the Possibility Principle to define and select relevant sample of cases. To analyse the cases, we employed hybrid approach of qualitative methods of thematic analysis.ResultsA thematic analysis of teacher interviews (N = 30) revealed that Israeli EFL teachers' decisions to refrain from culture-related classroom discussions were influenced by their personal norms and attitudes, perceptions of their roles as teachers, social conventions, and expectations of various school stakeholders. Specifically, we found that the major barriers to conducting culturally-related classroom conversations in the Arab sector had to do with the values endorsed by the school culture, with teachers' tendency to avoid taboo topics in their teaching due to concerns about how students would react or become alienated. For immigrant teachers, personal norms and perceptions of control operated as key factors in their decisions to avoid sensitive issues. Majority teachers cited negative attitudes, moral panics, school culture and perceptions of control as principal reasons for avoiding controversial topics.DiscussionThe emergent patterns are discussed as embedded in the cultural and social norms with possible implications for teaching in the multicultural classroom.

Effectiveness of Digital Versus Printed Arabic Text on the Literacy mathematics tasks of Seventh- and Eighth-Grade Students.

Studies have demonstrated that use of digital rather than printed texts improve student literacy (reading comprehension of Problem solving in mathematics) and boosts motivation. The current study examines the effectiveness of digital versus printed media on the literacy of seventh- and eighth graders in Arab schools in Israel. This is the first time this topic has been examined in this setting. The study uses a quantitative methodology that involved 132 students and 77 teachers from middle-schools in the Arab sector in Israel. Two questionnaires, the first for students and the second for teachers were distributed and the data were analyzed using SPSS. The results reveal that both seventh- and eighth-grade students perform better using digital rather than printed material. No discernible gender difference was found.

Factors Affecting the Willingness of Arab Residents in Israel to Pay for Green Buildings: Results of a Survey among Potential Homebuyers in Acre and Nazareth

Green buildings (GBs) enable the efficient use of resources while minimizing environmental impacts. Yet, GBs’ worldwide uptake is still hindered by various barriers, including the perception of being significantly more expensive than conventional ones. In Israel, several studies have investigated the willingness of prospective homebuyers to pay price premium (PP) for GBs and the associated affecting factors. However, these studies focused solely on the Jewish population and no similar study was carried out in the Arab sector. The present study attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by conducting a face-to-face survey among 215 potential Arab homebuyers in two cities in Israel characterized by a high percentage of Arab residents. Study results were compared to those found in a previous study in the Israeli Jewish sector. Findings indicate that despite their lower familiarity with the GB concept and attributes, prospective Arab homebuyers are willing to pay a much higher PP (10.56% compared to 6.58%) for purchasing a green apartment. This unexpected finding may be attributed to the higher motivation that Israeli Arabs have to improve their housing conditions and social status, which can be related to their larger households, higher household crowding, and stronger perception of housing as a long-term investment.

Cultural Factors and Pedagogical Ideology in the Implementation of Educational-Organizational Change in the Arab Sector

The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between teachers’ pedagogical ideology and certain cultural elements of Arab society in Israel, as well as the influence of both factors on the implementation of educational- organizational change based on pedagogical innovation. The study took place in an elementary school and featured an innovative pedagogical approach in which the student stands at the center, investigates, and discovers on his or her own; his or her positions are welcomed; and the teacher serves as a guide and mediator. The research population included the school principal and all of the school’s teachers. The study was conducted as a case study using quantitative and qualitative research tools. The findings showed that cultural factors characteristic of Arab society, such as traditionalism and conservatism, influenced the pedagogical ideology of the teachers; as such, it affected the implementation of change in practice. Other cultural factors at play included hierarchy, family, and the status of women. The study found and analyzed a correlation between the ideological aspect and the five components of Fox’s model of organizational change in educational systems: human, pedagogical, organizational, space and material, and mechanisms.

National epidemiology of culture-confirmed brucellosis in Israel, 2004-2022.

Brucellosis, a global zoonosis, is endemic in Israel. We used a national database of culture-confirmed cases (2004-2022) to analyse the trends of brucellosis. Of 2,489 unique cases, 99.8% were bacteraemic, 64% involved males, and the mean age was 30.5years. Brucella melitensis was the dominant species (99.6%). Most cases occurred among the Arab sector (84.9%) followed by the Jewish (8.5%) and Druze (5.5%) sectors. The average annual incidence rates overall and for the Arab, Druze, and Jewish sectors were 1.6/100,000, 6.6/100,000, 5.5/100,000, and 0.18/100,000, respectively. The annual incidence rates among the Arab (incidence rate ratio (IRR)=36.4) and the Druze (IRR=29.6) sectors were significantly higher than among the Jewish sector (p<0.001). The highest incidence rates among the Arab sector occurred in the South District, peaking at 41.0/100,000 in 2012. The frequencies of B. melitensis isolated biotypes (biotype 1 - 69.1%, biotype 2 - 26.0%, and biotype 3 - 4.3%) differed from most Middle Eastern and European countries. A significant switch between the dominant biotypes was noted in the second half of the study period. Efforts for control and prevention should be sustained and guided by a One Health approach mindful of the differential trends and changing epidemiology.

THE LINK BETWEEN VIOLENCE EXPOSURE AND BIOLOGICAL AGING IN MID-LIFE MUSLIMS IN ISRAEL

Abstract Trauma and accumulated chronic stress throughout life are associated with negative health outcomes; more specifically, exposure to violence has been linked to an accelerated aging state. In Israel’s Arab sector, rates of violence have been steadily rising for the past several years. Homicide rates, relative to population size, are seven times higher among Arabs. We aimed to determine the effects of exposure to violence on estimation of biological age as a measure of rate of aging within the ethnic minority of Muslims in Israel. We have conducted a cross-sectional study that included 375 participants age 50.5±6.9 years, of which 61% women. Biological age was estimated using the Klemera-Doubal method and physiological biomarkers; exposure to violence was measured using the Screen for Adolescent Violence Exposure questionnaire followed by a principal component analysis. The average total score of violence exposure was 1.83±0.36 (range 1-5, 1 corresponds with lower exposure). We found a positive and significant relationship among biological age, the “direct evidence of violence” component, and the “evidence of severe violence in the immediate environment” component (r = 0.119, p&amp;lt;0.05; r = 0.111, p&amp;lt;0.05, respectively). These results demonstrate that exposure to violence negatively affects health and accelerates aging within Israel’s Muslim minority. Comprehensive, culturally- and gender-adapted programs are required to reduce violence and address its contribution to the negative aging trajectory in this population.

LEARNING STYLES OF A STORY ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY: THEIR EFFECT ON THE LEVEL OF QUESTIONING OF STUDENTS IN PRIMARY EDUCATION

The use of stories in science education can make science more interesting and engaging, illustrate concepts, and provide opportunities for contextual and meaningful learning. Also, integrating a scientific story in which the sustainability goals are incorporated can lead to increasing students’ motivation to learn as well as improve and facilitate the learning process. Having children ask questions allows the educator to learn about the child's insights, views, level of interest, motivation for learning, and knowledge. Therefore, this study focuses on the relationship between science storytelling, questioning, and sustainability among elementary school students. It compares the levels of questioning among primary students who learned a sustainability story in segments versus those who learned the story in its entirety. A quantitative study was conducted involving 120 second graders from the Arab sector in Israel. The results revealed a significant difference in the two groups’ level of questions: the students in the experimental group, who learned the story in segments, asked higher-level questions than those in the control group. The study concluded that learning a scientific story in segments proved effective in enhancing primary students' questioning ability, and that there was a notable preference for this segmented storytelling approach over traditional whole unit learning methods. Keywords: asking questions, science story, storytelling, sustainability education, text learning

The Impact of Organizational behavior within the Public Institutions during Crisis in the Arab Sector in Israel

The Impact of Organizational behavior within the Public Institutions during Crisis in the Arab Sector in Israel

The Transformation of Arab Politics and Arab Voter Behavior in Israeli Elections (1999-2009)

This article delves into the transformative decade between 1999 and 2009, exploring the intricate web of Jewish-Arab relations in Israel and the consequential impact of Jewish-Arab tensions on Arab politics and Arab voter behavior in Israeli elections. During this decade, internal factors, such as generational shift, leadership changes, and political pluralism, played a pivotal role in reshaping the societal landscape in the Arab sector. On the other hand, external factors, including the collapse of the Israeli-Palestinian reconciliation process and the eruption of the Second Intifada, intensified the predicament of Israeli citizens of Arab origin, amplifying their national identity dilemma. The primary objective of this study is to analyze voting patterns within the Arab sector during the elections of 1999, 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2009, thereby highlighting the profound political implications of the Jewish-Arab tensions on Arab political engagement and voting behaviors. By doing so, this research provides insights into the changing patterns of Arab votes and their impact on the broader political landscape of Israel. The findings reveal that the growing social marginalization and disconnection from the Jewish sector significantly influenced the Arab sector's electoral participation. This period witnessed a decline in Arab voter turnout and a shift in support from left-wing Jewish-Zionist parties to Arab parties, paradoxically contributing to the electoral performances of both Arab parties and right-wing Jewish-Zionist parties.

Abused Children: Psychotherapist from behind the Screen: The Case Study of Incest in the Arab Sector in Israel

We know that child sexual abuse (CSA) and incest does not occur in isolation, but often in conjunction with emotional and physical abuse, neglect, and domestic violence within the family (Tener, et al., 2021). The more types of child maltreatment experienced, the greater the negative impact on abused children mental health. The family situation greatly affects the mother's ability to respond positively toward the disclosure of CSA. A recent cluster analysis of 35 psychotherapists from behind the screen in Israel in dealing with incest in the Arab sector has been discussed in this study. This study used a qualitative methodology based on interviews with 35 psychotherapists who work from behind the screen with sexually abused children based on the case study of incest in the Arab region. Interviews were utilized to gather qualitative information regarding the abuse in the Arab sector in Israel. These abused Arab youngsters had undergone counselling and psychological treatment before the interviews. The last themes that emerged were: characteristics of the therapist that support behind the screen therapeutic connection, narrative therapy, turning points, and counsel for therapists working with abused children in the Arab sector in Israel. The factor that affected the participants the most was confidence in the therapeutic alliance based on precise boundaries between the therapist and the abused child presented themes offered helpful therapeutic ideas and tactics that aided in speeding up the healing process.

The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Public Sector Administration: The Readiness of the Local Authorities in the Arab Sector in Israel.

This research paper investigates the readiness and integration of ICT in local authorities' administrative processes and service delivery. This is an important topic to explore, given the technological stalemate that is currently witnessed in the Israeli Arab localities. This has caused a significant hindrance to the successful fulfillment of public administrative functions in a rather "technologically advanced" country in the Middle East. Essentially, this research aims to review the incorporation of ICT in the Arab sector in relation to the articulation of the same in Jewish localities. To obtain these results, this study explores qualitative and quantitative research designs, interviews, and surveys with stakeholders and teachers in Arab schools. The results from this research will be used to examine the preparedness level of the Arab public sector in harnessing ICT potential. It also assesses the challenges the local authorities face in leveraging Israel's ICT potential by specifically focusing on the level of digital literacy Arab education sector. The data findings indicate a low-to-moderate degree of ICT integration among teachers, highlighting the importance of pedagogical knowledge and attitudes toward change in facilitating successful ICT implementation. Further, the study contributes to the understanding of ICT utilization in public sector administration and provides recommendations for overcoming obstacles and improving ICT practices in the Arab sector of Israel.

The Impact of the Local Climate on the level of Violence at School Among Youth in the Arab sector in Israel

This dissertation examined the impact of the local climate on the level of violence at school among youth in the Arab sector in Israel. Given the lack of research on this topic, the current study sought to fill this gap in the literature. The study used a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative data was collected through a survey of Arab youth in Israel. The qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews with a small sub-sample of the survey participants. The study sought to answer the following question: What factors are associated with increased levels of violence at school among Arab youth living in Israel? The findings of the study will provide policymakers and educators with useful information about the nature and extent of violence among Arab youth, which may help to identify and address risk factors. By understanding the factors that contribute to violence at school among Arab youth, policymakers and educators can better target interventions that will have the most impact. For example, interventions that address socio-economic factors may be more successful in reducing violence if they are implemented in a community where violence is prevalent. In addition, programs designed to reduce violence at school may be more effective if they are tailored specifically to the needs of Arab youth. The results of the study suggest that the local climate has a significant impact on the level of violence at school among youth in the Arab sector of Israel. Specifically, the study found that higher temperatures and humidity levels are associated with an increase in the frequency and severity of violent incidents. The study also found that students who live in areas with a higher prevalence of violence are more likely to engage in violent behavior themselves. There are a number of potential interventions that could be used to improve the situation for Arab youth in Israel. For example, providing access to mental health services and counseling could help address the psychological factors that contribute to violent behavior among some students. Another potential intervention is to improve the quality of education in the Arab sector of Israel, which has historically been underfunded and understaffed. Addressing issues such as overcrowding, a lack of resources, and inadequate teacher training could go a long way in improving the overall educational experience for Arab youth, and may also help reduce incidents of violence at school.