Israeli-Arab pride in Israel

Bet you didnt expect this

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.


Wednesday, February 1, 2012
52.8% of Israeli Arabs proud to be Israelis, 45% think important Israel strengthens its military might Only 28.3% of respondents 
said they were "not at all proud" to be Israelis. ..

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.