A new issue of the electronic series "Israeli Papers" (Issue 71) has recently been released by the Palestinian Center for Israeli Studies "Madar," under the title "Israel's Policy towards Arab Citizens - Back to the Origins." The paper was prepared and translated by researcher Omar Amin Masalha.
This paper includes translations from the archives of two sessions held by the leadership of the "Mapai" party (Labor Party of the Land of Israel), the predecessor of the current Labor Party, which is considered the founding party of Israel. These sessions took place on June 18, 1950, and July 19, 1950, focusing on what was termed the "Issue of Arabs in the State."
The introduction to the paper, written by the editor of the "Israeli Papers" series, Antoine Shalhat, states that the proceedings of these sessions indicate what transpired regarding the issue of Arab citizens. This eliminates the need to prove the essence of the policy of racial discrimination, suppression of national aspirations, and nationalism of Palestinians in Israel. These principles have been adopted by successive Israeli governments and have been evident since the early years of Israel's establishment following the Palestinian Nakba in 1948.
Although Israeli researchers interpret these events as a debate or contradiction between two approaches—one more ruthless and the other less ruthless—there is no doubt that there are many commonalities between the proponents of these approaches. Foremost among them is the elevation of security considerations in dealing with Arab citizens to a sacred level. Another commonality is the acknowledgment of the significant impact of education and employment as crucial factors in the social upbringing of Arab citizens. This leads to what is referred to as "mutual benefit," ultimately creating a complete disconnect between these citizens and their Palestinian compatriots and other Arab peoples beyond the borders.
Shalhat added that the most provocative aspect remains the suggestion that the issue of the existence of Palestinian Arabs in Israel remains an open and unresolved matter. Perhaps the opportunity will arise in the foreseeable future to dispose of them through transfer, thus avoiding the possibility of them becoming a "fifth column." There are many signals in the minutes regarding the desire to deport Palestinians from 1948. Moshé Dayan eloquently stated that the policy of "Mapai" should be directed so as not to definitively decide the fate of the 170,000 Arabs who remain within Israel, suggesting that there may be other possibilities in the near future for transferring these Arabs out of Israel. He stated, "As long as there is the possibility of doing so, we do not need to do anything to prevent it," in his expression.
Shalhat also pointed out that the issue of transfer was forcefully raised in the sessions, and it is possible to discern from the minutes the leanings of the participants. In contrast to Dayan's explicit and stern tone, figures like Moshe Sharett stood out, expressing a softer, voluntary endorsement of transfer. Sharett affirmed that if any opportunity or possibility arises to "reduce the number of Arabs in the country, we will do so, even if by encouraging a specific village or group, or a number of Arabs, to leave the country, and we must do so peacefully. But the implementation depends on the method!"
