Israel Should Do More To Integrate Haredim, Arabs, Minister Of Minority Affairs Says

"We have more startups than Europe. We succeeded in building a terrific state – the state of Tel Aviv. But Israel is Carthage, without the Negev. We have the most unequal society among western nations. When we founded the nation, we were one of the most equal societies."

Braverman: Israel should embrace its Arabs, Haredim

Minister of Minority Affairs says Israel has the most unequal society amongst western nations.

By Mike Dagan • Ha'aretz

Israel should do more to integrate its Arab and Haredi sectors, Minister of Minority Affairs Avishay Braverman said on Tuesday, the third day of the "Democracy and its Challenges" conference sponsored by the French Embassy in cooperation with Haaretz.

"David Ben Gurion wanted Israel to be a light onto the nations – a moral leader and a nation of justice and equality," Braverman said. "This requires long-term vision, which is tough in a world where what is pressing pushes aside what is important, when we are enslaved by ratings and finances."

Braverman said that the Haredim should be embraced in the workplace and that more resources should be allocated for Arabs. He said he is working on a plan for the coming decade incorporating those goals.

"Thus we will realize Ben Gurion's vision of a nation that is a renewable light unto the nations," he said.

"We have more startups than Europe. We succeeded in building a terrific state – the state of Tel Aviv. But Israel is Carthage, without the Negev. We have the most unequal society among western nations. When we founded the nation, we were one of the most equal societies."

Regarding the situation with the Gaza flotilla, Braverman said there is much tension in the Israeli Arab community.

"It is absolutely legitimate in a democracy for there to be demonstrations but Israeli Arab leaders have promised to act with restraint and I also told the Internal Security minister that the police should act to avoid contact with the Arab population," he said.

Comments

[harold]

Israel Should Do More To Integrate Haredim, Arabs, Minister Of Minority Affairs Says

The haredim I can understand, not quite comfortable about the Arab part until some form of peace in the region gets established.

[A. Nuran]

That's a good idea. Do they want to be more fully integrated?

[Leibel]

The question is do Israeli Arabs and Hareidim want to be integrated into Israeli society? One can be frum and Israeli as many of that Dati and Religious Zionists in Israel are proof of, but they also work (in a larger percentage than Hareidim do), go to University, serve in the army, etc.

[jimmy]

At the moment, Arabs are fifth columnist, bent on destroying Israel. They should be completely isolated.

[justayid]

Good for minister braverman. Now bring Kadima in the coalition as well as labour.