A timely piece in the Guardian by Israeli Aluf Benn that explains the growing alienation of the Arabs and ultra-Orthodox in Israel (the former far more, of course) and the “threat” to the country’s future:
If you’re interested in Israel’s future, all you need to know is one statistic: among Israeli kids in their first year at primary school, about half are Arabs or ultra-Orthodox Jews. And their portion is expanding. Looking forward, a very different Israeli society is emerging, with its Jewish secular core shrinking. Alas, as this scenario matures the country is going to face growing difficulties in defending itself and sustaining its economy.
Israeli Arabs and ultra-Orthodox Jews are exempt from military service, and are under-represented in the workforce. As their relative weight in society keeps growing, Israel risks security and economic implosion, since fewer and fewer soldiers and employees will protect and provide for an expanding population of welfare recipients. The Jewish state’s long-term survival depends on reversing the trend of non-participation among its Arab and ultra-Orthodox citizens.
Of course, Zionism doesn’t really want to create a truly equal society, but rather a state by the Jews for the Jews (with others merely being allowed to reside but not enjoy full rights).