According to a letter sent Thursday to Education Minister Yoav Kish, the Abraham Initiative last month used the internet to research the views of Jewish and Arab students and teachers about other cultural groups. A face-to-face survey was conducted.
The letter noted that the situation is dire, based on a study conducted through the Institute of Geography and Mapping. The results revealed an asymmetrical situation in which Jewish students and teachers had more negative feelings toward Arab students and teachers. This was due to a growing belief among Jewish students and teachers that coexistence was impossible.
But the letter also claimed that there were “encouraging” results: mutual exposure of the two cultural groups significantly softened each group's view of the other. The letter further claimed that the outcome “strengthens belief in peaceful coexistence.”
Summary of results
The first subject of the initiative's letter was to raise concerns about hatred between the two groups. Almost half (40%) of Jewish students reported high levels of hatred, according to the survey. In contrast, less than a sixth (11%) of Arabs reported high levels of hatred toward Jews, and a third (30%) reported moderate levels of hatred. .
Among teachers, the numbers were even lower, with just under a quarter (23%) of Jewish teachers and just under a tenth (9%) of Arab teachers reporting high levels of hatred.
When asked how much contact each group had with members of other groups, most (81%) Jewish students said they had no contact with their Arab peers. Less than a tenth (9%) reported having frequent interactions with Arab students.
Among Arab students, half of the participants reported frequent interactions with Jewish students. There is a similar gap between levels of interaction among teachers, with most Arab teachers (82%) interacting frequently with Jewish teachers, while only half of Jewish teachers do. be.
In addition to examining their level of negative emotions and interactions with others, the study also tested their level of knowledge and understanding of their cultural counterparts. Research shows that compared to Jewish teachers, Arab teachers say they are more familiar with Jewish issues and culture.
Additionally, just over a quarter (26%) of Arab teachers reported empathy for Jews, while just over a tenth (14%) of Jewish teachers could report the same about Arabs. Ta.
cross-cultural awareness
A study by the Geocartography Institute found that participants who met people from other cultural groups were more likely to believe in the possibility of a peaceful life in Israel. The study further shows that, similar to the previous category, Arab teachers and students are more open to mixed living and desire to meet members of other groups.
Regarding the desire to know about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the difference between the responses of Jewish participants and those of Arabs was quite small. In both cases, just over half of the participants said they wanted to know about the conflict.
However, when asked about learning Arabic or Hebrew, just under half of Jewish participants (42%) reported a tendency to learn Hebrew, compared to most Arab participants (70%). ) expressed an interest in learning Arabic.
The institute's letter presented data showing that half of the Arab and Jewish teachers surveyed expressed a need for additional tools to teach about other cultural groups. Additionally, a similar number of teachers expressed an interest in interacting with teachers from other cultural groups.
Positive effects of interaction
Additionally, “an encouraging result of this study is that there is a significant positive correlation between interactions and views,” the letter states.
The percentage of students and teachers who said they would be okay if families from other cultural groups lived nearby was nearly three times higher after meeting and interacting with members of other cultural groups, according to the letter.
After the interaction, participants' views on the level of hatred were significantly lower, while the level of love increased.
The letter summarizes the data presented and says, “The significant positive effects of interaction between the two cultural groups clearly reinforce the need to dramatically expand interaction between Jews and Arabs in the educational system.'' ”
The letter further adds that the initiative has worked to create such exchanges, including teaching Arabic and Hebrew, blended learning in selected subjects, and training teachers against racism. However, according to a letter to Education Minister Yoav Kish, the Abraham Initiative's activities were limited.
“However, given today's escalation, the Minister needs to expand these programs and implement them across the education system to prevent further escalation,” the letter said.