Understanding Israel and Its People
Understanding Israel and Its People
As part of the Holy Land, Israel is home to three of the world’s major monotheistic religions, namely, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In fact, many of the holy sites in Israel have special significance to all three religions of which the most important is Jerusalem. As such, the peoples of Israel come from a diverse mix of cultures that share more commonalities than differences despite the image the nation may have to the outside world.
With a long history marked by war and peace, unity and division, as well as being the conquered and conqueror, the people of Israel as we know the nation today strive to live with their neighbors as peacefully as can be allowed under the circumstances. Today, Israel is a parliamentary republic with a progressive economy, a tolerant society and a strong democracy.
Composition of People
Israeli society can be divided into the Jews and the non-Jews. As previously stated, the Jews make up majority of the Israeli population with many living in the areas captured during the Six-Day War, namely, Golan, West Bank and East Jerusalem. The non-Jews are composed mostly of Israeli-Arabs while the rest belong to the minority tribes mentioned above.
As the world’s only Jewish state, it is to be expected that the majority practice Judaism at roughly 80%. The Muslims make up 16%, the Christian Arabs 4% and the Druze 2%. This classification is important toward the better understanding of the customs, traditions and practices of the Israelis.
Even in a Jewish state, deep ethnic divisions still exist although many have healed through intermingling and intermarriage. For example, the Ashkenazim are divided from the Sephardim and Mizrahim during the early years of the state with recent years seeing less acute differences.
And then there are the secular and orthodox Jews divided over religious issues. Most of the secular Jews live in the urban areas like Jerusalem and Tel Aviv while the small towns are home to most orthodox Jews. In the middle of the spectrum are the secular Jews who still adhere to a few traditions in Judaism.
Talking to the People
As befits its people composition, Israel has two official languages, namely, Hebrew and Arabic with Hebrew being the most commonly spoken. English is a de facto second language for virtually all Israelis for many reasons of which the most notable is the country’s status as a former British colony and a present-day United States ally in western Asia. In fact, street signs, commercial establishments and other public venues are marked in these three languages.
But these three languages are just a small part of the Babel that Israel boasts of. Immigrants from countries like the former Soviet Union, Romania, France, Germany, Poland, and China, among others, have contributed to the dozens of languages heard in public places especially in large cities like Tel Aviv.
More than the language, however, it is important to show respect for the Jewish culture despite the secularism in the urban areas. Be modest in dress and behavior when entering the places of worship for the three major faiths in the country. Refrain from making any disparaging remarks against any of the tribes and sects.
If you can remember to behave properly, you will find that Israel and the Israelis are very warm, friendly and hospitable people.
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