The People

The Jews of Israel belong to two main groups: the Ashkenazim, westernized Jews, with a European background; and the Sephardim, from North Africa and the Middle East. “Sephardim” was originally the name given in Europe to Jews from Spain, who, after they were expelled in 1492, settled largely in Africa and Asia. The Sephardim are in the majority. However, the founders of Israel were from Europe; immigrants of this group are generally better educated and skilled in modern technology. The Sepharidm consequently have poorer jobs and housing and hold fewer positions of leadership.

Conflict developed between the Ashkenazim and Sephardim in the 1970's following a wave of immigration of highly educated Russian Jews who competed with the Sephardim for jobs. Following the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, a new wave of Russian Jews entered Israel.

In 1995 Israel had a population of 5,544,523. The population density was about 683 persons per square mile (263 per km2)—about nine times that of the United States. All but about 10 per cent of the people lived in urban places. The greatest urban conglomeration was Tel Aviv and vicinity, with about one-third of the total population.

About one-quarter of the Israeli Jews are Sabras, or native-born. (The word is the name of a fruit that is tough on the outside and sweet on the inside.) About 20 per cent of the population is Arab. Arab Israelis have full citizenship and in most ways are fully integrated into the life of the country, but their position is uncomfortable due to the historic animosity between Israel and the Arab countries. Some of the Arabs are nomadic or seminomadic Bedouins. The government has a long-term program for settling them in villages and bringing them into the labor force. The fact that the Arabs have a much higher birth rate than the Jews causes concern over maintaining Israel's Jewish identity in the future.

Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages. Hebrew is taught to all immigrants, but many never master it and continue to use their native tongues.

The religion of virtually all Jews, at least nominally, is Judaism. The Arabs are largely Muslim, mainly of the Sunnite branch. Christian Arabs make up a small percentage of the population. There is a small group of Druses. Israel contains sites sacred to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Free access is granted to all sites.

There are three types of schools—state schools, religious state schools, and religious private schools. The private schools are heavily subsidized by the government. There are separate state schools for Jews and for Arabs. Primary school lasts six years. Secondary school also lasts six years—the first four, which are compulsory, provide a general curriculum; the last two have a specialized curriculum of either academic, technical and vocational, or agricultural studies. The literacy rate among Jews is about 90 per cent; in Arab communities, about 70 per cent.

The leading institutions of higher learning are the Technion (in Haifa), the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv University. The Weizmann Institute of Science (in Rehovoth) is a world-renowned research center.

The arid, long-neglected land was made productive by early Zionist immigrants, who founded numerous pioneer kibbutzim settlements. Gradually, the country took on a more urban character, but when undeveloped new territory was acquired in the 1967 war, many new kibbutzim were established.

The Histadrut, to which more than a third of the population belong, is a major influence on Israeli life. In addition to trade union activities, economic activities, and social welfare, the Histadrut also has an extensive program of education and culture. It works with immigrants, operates technical high schools, and subsidizes performing arts. Its sports affiliate promotes athletic activities.

Israelis give strong support to all cultural activities. Music, dancing, and the theater are especially popular. The number of books published per capita is among the highest in the world. Both public and private interest in archeology runs high because of the significance of ancient Hebrew artifacts and structures in early Jewish history.