Fulfilling the Promise
Fulfilling the Promise of Israel’s Declaration of Independence
Israel’s Declaration of Independence affirms a commitment to full and equal citizenship for all, regardless of religion, race, or gender. It calls upon Arab citizens to help build the state on this foundation. However, legal and political shifts have often undermined these principles, creating barriers to full integration.
For decades, both Israeli and Palestinian leadership failed to address the needs of Israel’s Arab citizens, leading to a growing movement for integration. Over 90% of Arab citizens, according to Mohammad Darawshe, Director of Strategic Planning at Givat Haviva, have expressed their commitment to remaining in Israel. Yet, policies such as the citizenship law, acceptance committees law, and the 2018 nation-state law have reinforced systemic inequality. The downgrading of Arabic from an official language to one with “special status” further marginalized Arab citizens, signaling exclusion both domestically and regionally.
Despite these challenges, successful Jewish-Arab partnerships demonstrate a more hopeful path forward. Givat Haviva is committed to bridging divides, fostering a shared society, and advocating for policies that uphold the Declaration’s vision of equality and coexistence. Through education, leadership programs, and community engagement, we strive to turn this founding promise into a lived reality for all citizens.
