The National Self (and the Other)
National identity is a multifaceted concept that involves many different parts of a nation. It is a complicated and variable idea. It includes a combination of factors that vary based on perspective, location, religion, and other aspects. It involves not only the nation itself, but also their relationship with nearby nations. Israel has a complex history that contributes greatly to its national identity. Through difficult relationships with Palestine and borders that continue to change, Israel has formed a national identity.
Since its creation 1948, Israel has faced a lot of conflict that allowed a national identity to be created. In Israel, the national language is Hebrew and the majority religion is Jewish. Religion in Israel is broken down into Jewish 74.8%, Muslim 17.6%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.6%, other 4% (CIA, 2018). Since Israel was made to be a Jewish state following World War II, many people in Israel are Jewish, whether in religion or culture, or both. This plays an important role in their national identity, especially after a long history of religious persecution. Another important part of Israel’s national identity is based on conflict and the country being created despite protest from Palestinian Arabs whose land was being given away (CIA, 2018). This has lead to years of conflict between people and over land. This has also meant changing borders for Israel over time as the land has changed ownership many times.
In her article “National identity and the ‘other'” Anna Triandafyllidou brings up the idea of a significant other and how that impacts national identity: “...national identity is defined not only from within... but also from without, that is, through distinguishing and differentiating the nation from other nations or ethnic groups. National identity becomes meaningful only through the contrast with others” (Triandafyllidou, 1998). Here Triandafyllidou introduces the idea that national identity is not only a thing that is formed by what something is, but also by how it interacts with things outside itself.
An important distinction Triandafyllidou makes is between internal and external significant others. Internal significant others are groups within a nation that might have a different language or they might be an immigrant group, for example. Internal significant others can be a minority group or a majority group. External significant others are groups residing outside of a nation, and they might be another country or a group seeking to identify borders, distribute land, or the may have some form of cultural disputes. Triandafyllidou demonstrates the difference by saying that “...internal significant others (are perceived to) erode the unity and/or authenticity of the nation from 'within', while external significant others (are deemed to) challenge the territorial and/or cultural integrity of the nation from without” (Triandafyllidou, 1998). Depending on the type of significant other, a threat may feel different to a nation. For example an internal significant other could be seen as a threat to how a nation views themself while an external significant other may be seen more as a threat to borders or land.
A large part of Israel’s national identity comes from the interactions with the Palestinians. Palestine, in relation to Israel, could be considered both an internal and external significant other in Triandafyllidou’s model. To the Israeli government who has been taking land that belongs to Palestine and building on it, Palestine could be seen as an internal significant other as they are on the land that the government is using. In 2017 Parliament legalized Jewish buildings on private Palestinian land, demonstrating that the Israeli government recognizes the land as their own when it belongs to Palestine. However, these settlements are seen as illegal in the international community, but the Israeli government still continues to use the land (BBC News, 2017). This means to those other than the Israeli government, Palestine is an external significant other. In a report by the United Nations, it states that they will work “...towards the establishment of an independent, democratic, contiguous and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace with a secure Israel in the framework of a comprehensive regional settlement...” (United Nations, 2012). To many outside Israel there is hope for a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which would include recognizing Palestine as its own state, as Palestinians are currently stateless. Palestine could be seen as an external significant other, as they are trying to retain and restore land that was once theirs.
Other external significant others are the Middle Eastern countries who do not recognize Israel in any capacity (for example Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and others). When another neighboring country does not acknowledge the existence of Israel they become threatened. This is evident in the case of conflict about the possession of land. There have been many border disputes in Israel and land has changed ownership many times in the past, so the constant adjustment to changing border is significant in the national identity of Israel.
In terms of internal significant others, for Israel this group would consist of Palestinians living in Israel. Palestinians are considered an ethnic minority, making up about 25% of the population (Israel, 2018). Additionally, to Israel, they are seen as a threat to Israel’s Jewish identity, as many of them are Muslim or Christian. Since they make up a small portion of the population and are likely to be treated oppressively, as oppression is something many minorities face, they naturally seek to distinguish themselves from Israelis. “The Palestinian Authority is making efforts to have itself recognised by various UN and international agencies” (BBC News, 2017). This demonstrates that Palestine wants to be recognized and have their own land that is also recognized. However, this could be seen as a threat to Israel as there has been conflict since the creation of Israel, especially over land ownership.
To an extent, parts of national identity are ever changing. For Israel borders and territory are constantly changing and that impacts and is part of their national identity. However, some portions of national identity are more stable, like the constant importance of Jewish religion and culture in Israel. Additionally, the relationship with Palestine and Palestinians in Israel creates both internal and external significant others for Israel that has been influential in the creation of national identity in Israel.
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References
“General Assembly Votes Overwhelmingly to Accord Palestine ‘Non-Member Observer State’
Status in United Nations.” (2012, November 29). United Nations. Retrieved from
Triandafyllidou, A. (1998). National identity and the `other'. Ethnic & Racial Studies, 21(4),
593-612.
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