Many Israeli Arabs were asked if they would prefer to cede their right of living in Israel and move to the Palestinian territories, and most of them said “no”. The quality of life in Israel is considered better than in the west bank and Gaza. In Israel, the law is taken more seriously, there is less corruption, and is more open minded. In addition, the economic situation in Israel is way better. The minimum wage there is 29.29 Shekels per hour while in The Palestinian Territories is 7 shekels per hour. If we compare the prices of food, fuel, rent, transportation, and bills, the Palestinian territories are not proportionally cheaper. Furthermore, the health insurance system in Israel is one of the best in the world. It is compulsory for every citizen and saves a lot of money for them. For Arabs who live in Israel, it is way more convenient to stay in Israel.

As an Arab Israeli, I would love to stay living in Israel. The atmosphere in the Israeli streets is different than in the Arabic ones. I feel more freedom in the Israeli ones, I walk, and no one cares who I am or what I am wearing; however, in the Arabic streets I feel uncomfortable as many people look at me, and I feel being judged. It is important to say that this is my personal feeling and can be different for others. My point is that Israeli culture is more open-minded which suits me personally better.

However, it may be hard for some Arabs to integrate with the Israeli society. Religion, language, and the culture differences may prevent this integration and lead to a great gap between Israelis and Arabs. Nonetheless, Arabs prefer to stay living in Israel. This allows them to have the freedom to go all around the country, unlike West Bank and Gaza Arabs. In addition, they live a better quality of life. Therefore, Arabs have their own neighbourhoods, and there are only a few cities where Arabs and Jews live together.

Lastly, it may be hard for Arabs to live in Israel as a minority, where the country’s language, religion, and culture are different than theirs; however, it would still be easier for them to live in Israel than to live in the Palestinian territories. I have received above 95% as my grade in Tawjihi; however, when I was 18 years old, I did not know how to write an email or an essay, how to read news, and how to study. In my first semester in university, I had to write 200 words to apply a theory that I learned in class, on an example from our daily life as my first task. It was simple, but I failed. I had to think and not to memorise.