وثيقة استقلال الدولة وحقوق الأقلية العربية الفلسطينية في وسائل الإعلام العبرية

Abstract

This study presents the qualities and characteristics of the Palestinian Arab minority as shown in the Hebrew media. These media portray a distorted image of the Palestinian Arab minority, an image heavily influenced by negative stereotypes, preconceived ideas and a condescending racial attitude held by the Jewish majority  towards the Arab minority (Al-Qadi, 1994). Theoretically speaking, based on the Declaration of Independence, the Arabs, citizens of the State of Israel, should enjoy full citizenship, with equal rights in all fields of life. The Declaration of Independence states clearly that central values like equality and freedom should be enjoyed by all citizens of the state, Arabs and Jews alike. This document puts strong emphasis on the principles of democracy such as equality, freedom, justice, peace and  multiculturalism. It also speaks of complete equal social and political rights to all citizens. Discrimination on basis of race, religion or gender are strictly forbidden. Freedom of conscience, religion and speech, education, and culture are guaranteed. Holy places of all religions should be preserved and equally respected. Despite these ideals,  Arabs are viewed as a demographic, strategic and security threats. They are treated as enemies and  divided into  “good Arabs” and  “bad Arabs”, cockroaches, terrorists,  killers, fifth column, snakes, and people whose skulls should be destroyed. (Al-Haj, 2006; Al-Qadi, 1994).

The Hebrew media use derogatory  terms,  describing Arabs as “dirty  Arabish”. Current circumstances and daily life events testify to the bitter reality in which the Arabs exist. The successive Israeli governments confess that the Palestinian Arab minority has been suffering from a policy of inequality and oppression in all fields of life since the establishment of the state. This minority has been struggling in order to apply the concept of “citizenship” in the state. Arabs are viewed as aliens or temporary guests but not as citizens of the state.  This type of media coverage, based on generalizing, stereotyping and blackening the image of the Palestinian Arabs in Israel, does not lead to a culture of dialogue between the parties. Neither does it contribute to the idea of a peaceful coexistence between the Arabs and the Jews.  Rather it leads to further struggle, hatred, and the rejection of the other and goes in total contradiction with the principles of the Declaration of Independence (Qadi, 1994).