Education among Indigenous Palestinians in Israel : Inequality, Cultural Hegemony, and Social Change

An expansive, in-depth analysis of education among indigenous Palestinians in Israel over seven decades.

Unparalleled in its scope, this book provides a detailed longitudinal analysis of indigenous Palestinian education in Israel since the establishment of the state. Taking a comparative approach, Majid Al-Haj juxtaposes the Arab and Hebrew education systems in Israel, from early childhood through higher education, looking at their administration, resources, curriculum content, and outcomes. Significantly, the book represents the first systematic examination of an authentic model for social change and educational empowerment initiated by Palestinian Arabs in Israel through a civil society organization. Blending quantitative and qualitative methods, Al-Haj addresses widely debated theoretical questions about the role of education among indigenous minorities and disadvantaged groups in the context of cultural hegemony and inequalities, on the one hand, and self-empowerment and social change, on the other. Lastly, Al-Haj offers a review of the pre-state period and considers the impact of the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict on the goals, substance, and narratives of Arab and Hebrew education.