On the basis of recent evidence, Amnon Rubinstein argues that Israeli Arabs are growing ever warmer to the Jewish state, and proposes ways for the government to encourage this trend:
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center reviewed [the attitudes of] local populations across the Middle East toward Islamic State. . . . Israel’s Muslim community came in second with an overwhelming 97 percent of participants saying they oppose the group, and only 1 percent saying they were sympathizers. . . . .
I believe the shift among Israeli Arabs stems from their deep disappointment with the Arab world and their slow, hesitant integration in Israeli society and the Israeli economy. For the first time in years, the heads of Arab local authorities have voiced their unequivocal support for cooperating with Israel and the Jews, and have urged their publics to abandon . . . conflict.
How can we accelerate this process? I suggest . . . a visit by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Nazareth. Symbolic acts can go a long way. . . . Second, cities with a mixed Jewish and Arab population must learn from the successful reality in Jaffa, and take steps in the direction of joint bilingual [school curricula]. . . .
Read more on Israel Hayom: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=31129