The complex, shifting layers of identity for Israel's largest ethnic minority

Cultures · Published 1 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Are they Arab Israelis or Palestinian citizens of Israel? For the 2.1 million people making up 21% of Israel's population, the answer is rarely simple. Between historical military rule and modern political shifts, their self-identification reveals a profound struggle between civic belonging and national heritage.

The identity of Israel's Arab citizens is a multifaceted tapestry of religious, ethnic, and civic threads. While the Israeli government officially uses terms like 'Arab Israelis' or 'Arab citizens of Israel,' many in the community prefer labels that emphasize their Palestinian heritage, such as 'Palestinian citizens of Israel.' This distinction is highly politicized: supporters of Israel often use the former to avoid Palestinian connotations, while critics use the latter to highlight the connection to the broader Palestinian struggle.

Historical structures have heavily influenced these identities. Following the 1948 war, Palestinians who remained in the new state were granted citizenship but lived under martial law until 1966. During this era, expressing Palestinian national identity—such as displaying flags or reciting nationalist poetry—was illegal. It was only after the end of military rule and the 1967 war that Palestinian national consciousness spread significantly, leading many to adopt a Palestinian identity alongside their Israeli citizenship.

The community is not a monolith. While the majority are Sunni Muslims, there are significant Christian and Druze minorities. The Druze and certain Bedouin groups often express a stronger affinity to Israel, with some even serving in the military. Furthermore, the status of Arabs in East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights is distinct; due to the 1967 war and subsequent annexation, citizenship acquisition in East Jerusalem is rare, with only 5% of that population holding Israeli citizenship as of 2022.

Modern surveys show a landscape of 'hybrid identities.' While some polls show high numbers of people identifying as 'Arab-Israeli,' others suggest a growing trend of 'Palestinian in Israel'—a combination of Palestinian nationality and Israeli civic status. As Professor Sammy Smooha notes, this hybridity may become the dominant identity of the future.

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