The event at the Himmelfarb school, part of an initiative by Rivlin to build bridges between Israel’s communities, stands in sharp contrast to the current atmosphere in Israel, where those whose voices are loudest seem more interested in emphasising separation and nationalism. That has fuelled fears of a widening division between Israel’s Jews and Arabs as Israel has moved ever further to the right since Binyamin Netanyahu was returned for his second spell as prime minister in 2009 – a period marked by a heightened political rhetoric against Israeli Arabs. [...]
Among them have been a new 500-page civics textbook – To Be Citizens in Israel – produced under Bennett’s watch in May, which has been accused of largely editing out Israeli Arabs and their experiences. “The book’s message is impossible to mistake,” argued a Haaretz editorial condemning it after it was unveiled. “Jewish identity, as expressed in the state’s definition of itself and in the public sphere, takes priority over civic identity. This mainly reflects the views of an orthodox, conservative, rightwing strain of Judaism. [...]
The furore over the book – which superseded one that rightwing parties such as Bennett’s complained was too critical of the state – has not been an isolated incident. In December, Bennett’s ministry removed a book, Dorit Rabinyan’s Borderlife, that depicted a love story between an Israeli woman and a Palestinian man, from the curriculum of Israeli secular state schools. A proposed amendment to Israel’s basic law – effectively its constitution – that would make it possible for the Knesset to expel members, has also been criticised by Israeli Arab parties, who believe it was aimed at reducing their representation.
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