Palestinians in Israel

Segregation, Discrimination and Democracy

Ben White

Palestinians in Israel considers a key issue ignored by the official ‘peace process’ and most mainstream commentators: that of the growing Palestinian minority within Israel itself.

What the Israeli right-wing calls ‘the demographic problem’ Ben White identifies as ‘the democratic problem’ which goes to the heart of the conflict. Israel defines itself not as a state of its citizens, but as a Jewish state, despite the substantial and increasing Palestinian population. White demonstrates how the consistent emphasis on privileging one ethno-religious group over another cannot be seen as compatible with democratic values and that, unless addressed, will undermine any attempts to find a lasting peace.

Individual case studies are used to complement this deeply informed study into the great, unspoken contradiction of Israeli democracy. It is a pioneering contribution which will spark debate amongst all those concerned with a resolution to the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Contents

Foreword by MK Haneen Zoubi
Introduction
Chapter I: Jewish and Democratic?
Chapter II: The Land Regime
Chapter III: Judaisation and the Demographic Threat
Chapter IV: Systematic Discrimination
Chapter V: Frustrating Democratic Change
Chapter VI: Rethink to Reimagine
Appendix: 10 Facts about Palestinian Citizens in Israel
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index

About the Author

Ben White is a freelance journalist and writer specializing in Palestine/Israel. He is the author of Israeli Apartheid (Pluto, 2009). His work has appeared in the Guardian online, the New Statesman, and Electronic Intifada. He also writes on the broader Middle East, Islam and Christianity, and the ‘war on terror’.