Israeli-Arab pride in Israel
Alexander Yakobson Op Ed in Haaretz 1 February 2012
http://www.haaretz.co.il/opinions/1.1630748
..
According to "Democracy Index 2011" on behalf of the Israel Democracy
Institute, 52.8% of Arab citizens (compared to 88% of Jews) answer yes to
the question if they are proud to be Israelis. Only 28.3% of respondents
said they were "not at all proud" to be Israelis. ..

These findings are not unusual at all. In 2009, a survey conducted a week
after the conclusion of "Operation Cast Lead", found 45% of Arabs said they
were proud to be Israelis. Years ago that figure was 53%. I happened to ask
a group of British journalists ... whether by their estimate 45% of
Catholics in Northern Ireland ready to say "I am proud to be British". "I do
not believe that 45 Catholics in Northern Ireland who are willing to say it,
not to mention the 45%", said one journalist.

...
Only to 24.5% of the Arabs, according to the survey of 2011, have confidence
in the prime minister; 35.5% the government as an institution; 44% the
Knesset; 39% have confidence in the Israel Police; 45.6% the state
prosecutors, 50% the attorney general and 69.4% the Supreme Court (almost
the same percentage of Jews). The IDF enjoys the confidence of 41% of Arab
citizens and 45% agree that it is "important or very important" to
strengthen its military might of Israel. Who would have guessed from the
Jewish community that the percentage of Arab citizens who think it is
important to strengthen the military might of Israel is far greater than the
percentage that responded that it "not important" to them (29%)?

Are these answers reliable? Two years ago I saw a survey in which scores of
percentages of voters for the Arab parties, including Balad, said that they
are Israeli patriots. Whoever says Balad to a pollster is pointing, not to
pander to the Jews. Israeli pride is very strong statement - stronger than
loyalty.

...