Native Israeli

You are not the only one who has ever wondered what it’s like to be a native Israeli. There are many reasons. Despite their ancestry and heritage, Palestinian Arabs did not originally inhabit Israel. They were forcefully conquered, subsumed, and converted. It is no different than the case of white Europeans. While conquering peoples aren’t considered “indigenous,” they can still become such through cultural genesis and coalescence.

Israel’s population has undergone massive immigration from many different cultures. The Jewish diaspora was the first wave of immigration. Later, Jewish immigrants introduced new cultural elements to Israeli society, including non-Slavic ethnic groups from the former Soviet Union. Consequently, today’s native Israeli population is a diverse and multifaceted one. Below are some characteristics of the Israeli native population:

Israel has a religious component. Most Israelis follow a Judaism derived from the Hebrew Bible. However, Israel’s religious structure is complex and at times at odds with the secular sector. Two major religious-ethnic groups make up Israel: Sephardic Jews and Ashkenazic Jews. Both were born in the Mediterranean. Both groups are represented by separate chief rabbis. Due to Ashkenazim’s social dominance, there is a lot of tension between them.

Israel is home to many different types of literature. Its advanced communication infrastructure and global trends have influenced popular culture. Israeli pop singers perform in Hebrew and incorporate various pop styles. Israeli talk shows are a popular choice among Israelis. Arab neighborhoods and towns in Israel have TV antennas that receive reception from the Arab nations. Arab pop music is widely available in Arab neighborhoods. In addition to a diverse literary culture, Israel also has a large number of popular singers.

The comic “When Settler Becomes Native” speaks to the Jewish claims to indigeneity in the Land of Israel. Although I am not a native Israeli, I do have a Mizrahi friend that has pointed out the racism of Mizrahi Jew in such comments. Mizrahi Jews have a complicated history with Palestine. However, I disagree with Weinfeld’s sentiment.

The argument that Jews are “indigenous”, is based on cultural constructs, and not natural ones. The Palestinians have the right to exist in the land but they cannot override Israel’s claim to indigeneity. Ninety percent of Jews can trace their genetics back to the Levant, while Palestinian Arabs are from the Hejaz. The arguments of native Israelis are persuasive and well worth reading.