The Arab Minority In Israel's Economy: Patterns Of Ethnic Inequality

The Arab Minority in Israel's Economy considers the Arab population as an integral, albeit disadvantaged, part of Israeli society. Using data from a thirty-year period, the book looks at Arab participation in the economy, especially in the labor market, showing how significant socioeconomic inequality persists despite a fundamental tenet of Israel's declaration of independence asserting equality of political and social rights of all its citizens. Taking an ethnic competition perspective, the authors explore the extent of inequality, uncovering the institutional and social processes that influence it. They examine the role of local labor markets and individual human resources, giving special attention to the growing labor force participation of Arab women. They also consider the gains of the majority Jewish population that have resulted from competition and economic discrimination against Arabs. Although the Arab community in Israel has been studied in the past, this book is unique in its detailed analysis of employment activity within and outside of the Arab sector and in examining both Arabs and Jews within the stratification system. The book fosters deeper understanding of Israeli society and of multi-ethnic societies more generally.

About the Author

"Noah Lewin-Epstein is professor of sociology and director of the Institute for Social Research at Tel Aviv University. Moshe Semyonov is the chair of the Sociology Department at Tel Aviv University and professor of sociology at the University of Illinois Chicago. Together they have authored Hewers of Wood and Drawers of Water, a study of Arabs in the Occupied Territories."