Nadene Goldfoot
By 1972 almost a million Arabs lived in the administered areas (not called occupied areas). 640,600 of there lived in Judaea and Samaria. This consisted of 5,900 sq km or 2,270 sq mi. 388,600 lived in the Gaza Strip consisting of 360 sq km or 140 sq mi. and North Sinai.
8,000 Arabs lived on the Golan Heights consisting of 1,250 sq km or 500 sq mi. There are the Druzes living here.
Most of this population are Moslems. The smaller Christian communities of Greek Orthodox and Latins are mainly in Ramallah, Bethlehem and Beit Jala.
Israel waited for a peace settlement which didn't come. Their objectives have been:
1. To maintain conditions of security for Israelis and Arabs alike.
2. To enable inhabitants to live normal lives without losing contact with Arabs in other countries.
3. To make possible rapid economic development.
4. To encourage co-existence and cooperation between the Arabs of the areas and Israelis, as an example for relations to come between the two peoples.
1. By 1972 things were tranquil and thriving. Local affairs were administered by the local population.
2. Open bridges on the Jordan allowed movement in either direction between the areas and the Arab States.
3. Arabs and Israelis up to 1967 had lived in mutual separation and estrangement but after 1967 were enjoying the beginnings of a peaceful and fruitful co-existence.
4. The hope was that this would make a contribution towards a transformation of Arab-Israel-relations from conflict into cooperation.
What Happened?
I daresay that other Arabs poked their goals into the territories and grabbed some political power over these people. Arafat died and Hamas took over Fatah. The whole leadership changed from bad to worse.
Israeli politics also changed. It was as if American Democrats gained power. The Left gained power and did not protect Southern Israel which was shelled for 8 years. Now the Right is back in. We await with baited breath to see how Netanyahu handles things, but I have a feeling he'll be great. Security is a big thing with him. Most Israelis voted for him for this very reason.
Unlike Muslim Nations
Arabs and Druzes take part in Israeli political life. They are in the government's legislature.
In the 7th Knesset there were 6 Arabs (one was Deputy Speaker and one was a Deputy Minister) and one Druze who was a Deputy Minister. That was by 1972. It's not a new thing. Remember, Israel only was born in 1948. It was only 24 years old. In just about every Arab nation, Jews are not allowed, even as tourists. Egypt allowed Jews by 1980 that I know of. Sadat had made a change in his attitudes. I believe it would be impossible for me to tour Saudi Arabia.
Advantages for Arabs in Israel
Israel has treated the Arabs well, though they probably wouldn't dare admit it. They have the advantages of Israel's modern medical services. They are served by 6 health centers. 79 village clinics and 75 mother and child station, besides facilities in the cities. Their death rate dropped from 20 per thousand in 1948 to 6.2 in 1971, among the lowest in the world. During this time, infantile death rates fell from 68 to 38 per thousand live births. By 1972 93% of births are in hospitals.
Now Arabs want to overwhelm Israel with their numbers demanding a return of millions and millions of Arabs who left in 1948 of their own choosing.
Resource: Facts About Israel: published by the division of information, ministry for foreign affairs, Jerusalem 1973.
Israel's Arab Minority
Population in 1948 126,000 in 1972 458,500
Illiteracy 95% ...................................5%
School Population 10,000 ...............117,000
University " 15 ....................................1,000
Teachers 286 .....................................5,000
Hospital Births 4% ................................93%
Health Services None ...........................85 clinics, 75 mother-child stations
Electricity Almost None .........................92%
Agriculture
machines 5 ............................................960
life expectation 52................................... 70
Resource; Facts About Israel from 1973 booklet published by division of information, ministry for foreign affairs, Jerusalem.
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