Abraham Initiatives Survey Reveals Stark Divide Between Jewish and Arab Students and Teachers
In a recent survey conducted by the Abraham Initiatives, concerning views towards other cultural groups among Jewish and Arab students and teachers, alarming results have come to light. The survey, conducted through the Geocartography Institute, revealed a concerning asymmetry in the attitudes of Jewish and Arab individuals towards each other.
The survey results indicated that Jewish students and teachers tend to harbor more negative feelings towards their Arab counterparts, with a greater belief that co-existence is not likely. However, there was a glimmer of hope in the findings, as exposure to members of the other cultural group significantly mitigated these negative views, leading to a strengthened belief in peaceful co-existence.
The survey highlighted the prevalence of hatred between the two groups, with a significant portion of Jewish students and teachers reporting high levels of hatred towards Arabs. In contrast, Arab students and teachers reported lower levels of hatred towards Jews. The survey also revealed disparities in interaction between the two groups, with Jewish individuals reporting less frequent interactions with their Arab counterparts compared to Arabs.
Furthermore, the survey tested for levels of knowledge and understanding of each other’s cultures, with Arab teachers showing more familiarity with Jewish culture and expressing empathy towards Jews. The survey also indicated a positive correlation between interaction and positive views, with participants who had interacted with members of the other cultural group showing a greater willingness to coexist peacefully.
The Abraham Initiatives emphasized the need to expand interactions between Jewish and Arab individuals within the education system, calling for additional tools to teach about the other cultural group and increased efforts to combat racism. The organization urged the Education Minister to implement these programs to prevent further escalations in tensions between the two groups.