Part 3, Chapter 16 Summary

Chapter 16, entitled, "Arab Citizens of the Jewish State," opens by quoting the solemn pledge made by the newborn State of Israel in 1948 to "uphold the full social and political equality of all its citizens, without distinction of religion, race or sex." The Proclamation of Independence called on Arab inhabitants to preserve the peace and work to build the new state as equals with the Jews. This chapter illustrates the failure of Israel to honor its pledge.

Shipler cites statistics proving that Israeli-Arabs, on the other hand, have kept their part of the bargain. They rank below the national average in petty crime. They go to the ballot box. At least ninety-nine percent have never been involved in a terrorist act. Nevertheless, they are kept at the fringe of Israeli society, aliens in their own land, constantly suspect, disappointed and often angry...